Town leaders recorded repeated discussion over the year about ambulance operations after Roosevelt County signaled a plan to withdraw from direct ambulance service.
On Sept. 6, Paul Hanson, the hospital administrator, told the council Roosevelt Memorial Hospital would assume the ambulance title effective Oct. 1, 1988, and requested town support to cover insurance and start-up needs. Hanson detailed estimated insurance costs and operational concerns, including a request for a high-frequency radio to maintain communications with Mercy Hospital in Williston.
The council voted to donate $6,000 to the hospital’s ambulance fund and agreed the hospital would assume billing and operating responsibilities while the town would continue to house the vehicle. The motion passed unanimously.
Background discussion in earlier meetings noted that Culbertson’s local ambulance base rate ($30 plus $0.50/mile) appeared low compared with surrounding services and that local rate adjustments might be necessary if the town retained ownership. Hospital and county coordination were ongoing: the town also discussed transferring any ambulance fund balance to the organization that took ownership.
The council asked the hospital to pursue county-level financial assistance, including an approach to county commissioners about a mill levy, and instructed staff to finalize details for the transition and fund transfer.