The agenda for the August 10 Rushford Council meeting included just two items of regular business: a large donation in the amount of $10,500 for the Rushford Aquatic Center and a review of quotes for the upgrade of the airport office building air conditioning unit.
The donation from Rushford-Peterson Booster Club came following a call from Booster Club President Kyle Colbenson to City Administrator Hayden Stensgard. The club was looking for an opportunity to benefit community-wide events or operations. Stensgard attended one of their meetings and shared a snapshot of aquatic center needs and operational expenditures. Stensgard and the council expressed their thanks to the club for the donation.
In the second item, Stensgard reiterated how two window units had failed at the airport, which prompted the city to look for a more permanent and efficient option for the building. The building is used by anyone else utilizing and those that rent hangar space, including two flight instructors who spent significant time in the building.
Stensgard provided quotes from VIS Plumbing and Norman’s Electric for review. The total project cost is $5,557.
Stensgard received the expense report and year-to-date finances. The airport budget is currently operating at a surplus. The project does not qualify for Federal Aviation Administration funding. The council unanimously approved moving ahead with the project.
During reports, Stensgard provided good news noting the city’s Ambulance Service is officially re-enrolled in Medicaid. The validation and subsequent re-enrollment for the program, and that of Medicare, lapsed in the end of 2024 and left the city unable to seek payments for ambulance costs billed to either program. He further noted the city will be refunded the $750 payment to enroll due to its previous enrollment status. Additionally, the city will be able to seek payments for services billed to Medicaid going back to April 14, 2025. Medicare also allowed the city to seek back payments, but only to July 2026.
“We can submit a request to go back further,” added Stensgard, detailing that a hardship case might be made. “It doesn’t hurt to ask at this point.”
Councilor Judi Pronk sought clarification on what qualifies as a hardship.
“If it’s a convincing enough argument,” he responded. “It’s a gray area. We may have an easier time getting a reconsideration because we are rural EMS [Emergency Medical Service]. But, we are now receiving Medicare and Medicaid claims.”
The city will need to seek re-validation again, but not until 2031-2032.
“Good work on that,” said Mayor Leigh Volkman. “I know it’s frustrating and painful.”
“It will be easier the next time we get re-validated, now knowing the process,” said Stensgard.
A few other report items were touched on, including the old Rushford Police Department squad car, which will be sold either via auction or sealed bid, notice of a failed water heater at the ambulance hall, and upcoming details of the annual audit. The city will schedule a workshop meeting to discuss the audit and the 2027 levy and budget.
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