Deuel County approves $75,000 in conditional support for ambulance services
June 01, 2026 | Deuel County, South Dakota
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The Deuel County Commissioners voted May 19 to approve $75,000 in county support funds for local ambulance services, with payment conditioned on both the Deuel County Ambulance and Gary Fire explaining how they will use the allocation.
Deuel County Ambulance President Cory Borg gave a status update citing roughly 38 members across county ambulance organizations and reported 2025 call volumes: Gary Ambulance responded to 30 emergency calls and 16 transfers in 2025 while Clear Lake responded to 200 emergency calls and 40 transfers in 2025; through the meeting date in 2026 Gary had 21 emergency calls and 6 transfers, and Clear Lake had 60 emergency calls and 12 transfers. Borg said the county provided $75,000 in 2025 to support purchase of supplies, fuel and an ambulance; the new ambulance ordered is expected to arrive in 2027.
Borg and Denise Eversman described local staffing and revenue arrangements: when Gary Fire responds to a call, the Gary unit receives 50% of billing revenue for that call; when the Deuel County Ambulance responds it receives 100% of billing revenue. Borg said Gary Fire has not previously received any of the county funding provided to Deuel County Ambulance and that Gary Fire would like to add a second ambulance depending on available funding in 2026 to ensure local coverage when units are out on transfers. Commissioners discussed an 80/20 split of future support (suggested by Commissioner Jay Grabow) between Deuel County Ambulance and Gary Fire, but agreed funding would not be distributed until both organizations present plans explaining how funds will be used.
Commissioner Harry Mewherter moved, seconded by Judith Homan, to approve $75,000 in support funds to the Deuel County Ambulance and Gary Fire provided both organizations explain intended use of funds; the motion carried unanimously. Denise Eversman clarified later in public comment that Deuel County Ambulance does not forbid Gary Fire from driving county ambulances and that transfer declines occur due to staffing shortages rather than lack of vehicles.
The commission emphasized the objective of maintaining local ambulance coverage and reducing reliance on air transfers.
Deuel County Ambulance President Cory Borg gave a status update citing roughly 38 members across county ambulance organizations and reported 2025 call volumes: Gary Ambulance responded to 30 emergency calls and 16 transfers in 2025 while Clear Lake responded to 200 emergency calls and 40 transfers in 2025; through the meeting date in 2026 Gary had 21 emergency calls and 6 transfers, and Clear Lake had 60 emergency calls and 12 transfers. Borg said the county provided $75,000 in 2025 to support purchase of supplies, fuel and an ambulance; the new ambulance ordered is expected to arrive in 2027.
Borg and Denise Eversman described local staffing and revenue arrangements: when Gary Fire responds to a call, the Gary unit receives 50% of billing revenue for that call; when the Deuel County Ambulance responds it receives 100% of billing revenue. Borg said Gary Fire has not previously received any of the county funding provided to Deuel County Ambulance and that Gary Fire would like to add a second ambulance depending on available funding in 2026 to ensure local coverage when units are out on transfers. Commissioners discussed an 80/20 split of future support (suggested by Commissioner Jay Grabow) between Deuel County Ambulance and Gary Fire, but agreed funding would not be distributed until both organizations present plans explaining how funds will be used.
Commissioner Harry Mewherter moved, seconded by Judith Homan, to approve $75,000 in support funds to the Deuel County Ambulance and Gary Fire provided both organizations explain intended use of funds; the motion carried unanimously. Denise Eversman clarified later in public comment that Deuel County Ambulance does not forbid Gary Fire from driving county ambulances and that transfer declines occur due to staffing shortages rather than lack of vehicles.
The commission emphasized the objective of maintaining local ambulance coverage and reducing reliance on air transfers.
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