STURGIS, S.D. – The Rural Sturgis Ambulance Group has announced it has raised the needed $30,000 to keep ambulance service running to the rural areas the rest of the year.
Group spokesman Ross Lamphere says the group made the announcement at their meeting Tuesday night.
The Sturgis City Council had asked for the $30,000 by November 18 as a good faith effort that the group was serious in trying to find a solution to help in the cost of running the city-owned ambulance service to the rural areas outside Sturgis city limits.
Sturgis residents contribute to the ambulance as per the mill levy, which sets local property taxes.
But, because fundraising is more of a short term solution rather than long term, the group is also circulating petitions among the rural areas in hopes of setting up a vote to establish an ambulance district.
Lamphere says when they go before the council on November 18, they will ask for an understanding to cover the time it will take to set up the district if it passes.
Lamphere says there are approximately 25 people out with petitions. The group will need approximately 260 signatures by December 20 to set up a March vote.
