Ambulance Director Deb Ristau proposed increases for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) volunteers at the city council’s June 15 meeting.
Ristau acknowledged stipends offered by the Preston department have been low compared to the surrounding area. She explained the increases in 2026 will be funded through a Minnesota Uncompensated Care Pool Grant which was applied for and awarded in an amount of over $22,000. The proposed increases will bring volunteer compensation more in line with other area programs.
The increases will raise the weekday stipend to $2, the weekend and holiday stipend to $5, the EMT (emergency medical technician) call stipend to $40 per call, and the EMR (emergency medical responder) call stipend to $35 per call. The increases were approved as presented and will be effective as of July 1. Funding for the continuation of the increases will be planned for in the 2027 budget.
Ristau also requested approval of an updated Preston Emergency Services CPR Instructor Agreement. She noted the agreement was last considered around 2009. It was noted that the Preston EMS has not been doing CPR/First Aid instruction since 2013. The program was restarted in 2025. The updated agreement was approved as presented.
Ristau announced the first new ambulance will arrive in January 2027 and the second one is to arrive in April.
Other Business in Brief
•The Preston EDA Board had approved an updated job description and timeline for the posting of the EDA director position which has been vacant since former EDA Director Michelle Marotzke accepted the position of interim city administrator. Marotzke noted the position will remain full time at 32 hours per week with nine hours dedicated to the Lanesboro contract and 23 hours to the Preston contract. Marotzke clarified changes in the updated job description. The city council ratified the EDA Board’s approval of the updated job description.
•A hiring committee for a Preston Public Utilities general manager/public works director position was approved. The PPU had appointed Ron Schroeder. The city council approved City council members Jonathan Wood and Charles Sparks, Schroeder of the PPU, and Marotzke to sit on the hiring committee. Marotzke reported several applications have been submitted. Interviews should be scheduled for next week.
•A resolution was adopted authorizing an application for and an acceptance of USDA Rural Business Development Grant Funding. Marotzke was designated as the authorized representative for the city to submit the grant application and related documents to apply for, accept, and administer the grant on behalf of the city. Marotzke plans to apply for around $40,000 to support two Bluff Country Business Academy cohorts. No matching funds are required.
•Approval was granted for expenses to allow Marotzke and Deputy Clerk Sheila Marzolf to attend the League of Minnesota Cities two-day clerk’s training in St. Paul.
•Marotzke reported she is still working on getting updated bids for city hall improvements.
•Marotzke noted the dredging of the two retention ponds in the city has been discussed. It has been suggested to make one pond a dry pond. She has spoken with Brett Grabau who suggested the city reach out to MnDOT about the ownership of the ponds and what would be allowed.
Leave a Reply