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Facing Financial Troubles North Fork Ambulance Asks Public For Solutions

public meeting, North Fork Ambulance Association
Laura Palmisano
/
KVNF

The North Fork Ambulance Association is facing a large budget deficit.

That’s why the organization is hosting a series of meetings to gather ideas from the community on what to do about the problem. The first meeting was in Hotchkiss on Thursday night. 

The association is the only ambulance service provider in the North Fork Valley. About 50 volunteer emergency responders staff it. 

The nonprofit is funded by paid memberships, grants from the state, charging non-members for ambulance services and donations. 

Kathy Steckel, the association’s executive director, says that model isn’t working anymore.

"In the last year or two, we have seen that we are starting to operate in the red," Steckel says.  "And I think this is mostly because the costs are increasing." 

This year the organization is facing a budget deficit of more than $190,000.

"It means we have to start dipping into our reserves," she says. "We are able to sustain ourselves until we find a better way of doing business." 

Steckel says possible changes include raising membership fees, billing members’ insurance for services and fundraising.

The next meeting is scheduled for late March. 

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