Mitchell Warns Rural EMS Service at Risk Without New Ambulance Tax District

The City of Mitchell is currently covering the cost of rural emergency medical services, but a proposed ambulance tax district could change that. A special election on April 22 will determine if Davison and Hanson County residents support the funding plan, which would generate $700,000 annually.

By Crystal Blue April 9, 2025 11:10 am

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MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) The city of Mitchell is footing the bill for emergency medical services in surrounding rural areas, but that may change soon. A special election on April 22 will decide whether residents of Davison and Hanson counties approve a new ambulance tax district. City officials say without this funding, ambulance service to rural areas could end. Mitchell Fire and EMS is currently struggling to meet state response time requirements. One recent in-town call had a 34-minute wait due to multiple simultaneous emergencies. If passed, the tax district would raise around $700,000 a year to fund six new paramedics and a fifth ambulance. Without this help, Mitchell’s EMS could face about a $1 million shortfall this year. A final town hall is scheduled for this Friday, at 6 p.m. at the Davison County Fairgrounds. For more Government stories from MitchellNow.com, Click Here.

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