CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Carrington residents will be asked to vote on whether or not to continue the existing 7 mills approved by voters in 2016.

Jodi Hovdenes is an RN and VP of the Patient Care Services at CHI St. Alexius Health and Carrington Ambulance Manager. She says with changes in century code, every four years the levy needs to be put to a vote.

Hovdenes says CHI St. Alexius Health is a Critical Access Hospital. Because of this, they are designated for Medicare, which aims to reduce the financial vulnerability for rural access hospitals and improve access to healthcare.

Hovdenes added that the Carrington Ambulances averages around 300 calls per year. She says in order to breakeven, they need to double that amount in a year.

A yes vote on November 3rd will approve the existing 7 mills voted on in 2016. A no vote would mean the medical center would cease to receive those 7 mills for the service.

Hovdenes stressed that approving the measure would be vital for the future of the Carrington Ambulance Service while not adding any more financial liability to the residents of Foster County.

In 2016, Foster County residents approved the levy with 914 yes votes and 794 no votes.

Listen to a full interview with Jodi Hovdenes below: