OTTER TAIL COUNTY, Minn. — The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners has directed staff to pursue a Subordinate Service District (SSD) to keep emergency medical services running in the Pelican Rapids area.

The move followed months of work with local townships and cities after Ringdahl Ambulance Pelican Rapids told communities that money problems could put its services at risk.

Background information

In March 2026, Ringdahl Ambulance told cities and townships in its service area about serious financial shortfalls. County staff held an informational session in April to walk through the options state law allows, including a joint powers agreement, a special taxing district or a subordinate service district.

In June, Ringdahl Ambulance told the Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services it will not renew its Primary Service Area license for Pelican Rapids when the license expires in 2027.

What a subordinate service district would do for the area

An SSD is a defined, connected area within a county, allowed under Minnesota statute 375B. If the county creates one, it could apply for a Primary Service Area license, hire an EMS provider through a competitive bidding process and set property taxes or parcel fees to pay for the service.

Cities and townships that may be included

The proposed Pelican Rapids Primary Service Area covers the cities of Pelican Rapids, Elizabeth, Vergas, Erhard, and Rothsay along with the townships of Candor, Dora, Dunn, Erhards Grove, Friberg, Lida, Maine, Maplewood, Norwegian Grove, Oscar, Pelican, Scambler, Star Lake and Trondhjem.

Upcoming public meetings (Virtual options available)

• Residents can learn more and ask questions at a public information session on Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Pelican Rapids High School.
• Residents will have time to express their opinions at a public hearing on the proposed SSD on Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Pelican Rapids High School.

More information

Visit the county webpage at ottertailcounty.gov/project/pr-ems-ssd/ for links to the Microsoft Teams login to attend the meetings online and to subscribe to notifications of project updates. Contact Nicole Hansen, County Administrator, at 218-998-8070 or nhansen@ottertailcounty.gov with questions. Residents will also receive a postcard with this information.