07/25/2026
Bay Ambulance would like to clear up some misconceptions that have been posted on Facebook. This is the chronological order of what happened:
1984 – Baraga Township approved a township millage
1991 – L’Anse Township approved a millage
February 7th, 2024 – Bay Ambulance hosted a meeting with the units of government that we serve. All but one township was in attendance; L’Anse Township had a representative at that meeting. Also at that meeting was Bay Ambulance’s CPA, who presented financial projections. Each township would be responsible for determining the correct millage to cover increased costs of ambulance service at the next election.
February 14th, 2024 – From the L’Anse Township minutes:
Section J, Number 4 Ambulance Report – Meeting held Jan 24, and open meeting held February 7. Gary Wadaga and Cory Frisk shared their interest in increasing the millage from the current 1 mill to 2 mills. A motion was made to approve the millage rate of 2 mills for ambulance service by Trustee Sweeney, seconded by Trustee Lloyd. All in favor, motion carried.
March 20th, 2024 – The February 14th, 2024 meeting minutes were approved.
May 8th, 2024 L’Anse Township Meeting Minutes – Discussion was had regarding the Bay Ambulance request for an increased millage. Clerk Kahler shared with the board and Bay staff in attendance that L’Anse Township could ask voters for 1.5 mills instead of 2 mills to cover the requested amount increase if the contract was updated to provide the entire millage collection to Bay each year, eliminating a collection surplus. A special meeting will be called to approve a collection amount and ballot language. Fire and ambulance millages will appear on the August ballot.
August 6th, 2024 – L’Anse Township voters overwhelmingly voted to support a millage for ambulance service. 745 (83%) YES – 144 No
March 25th, 2025 – Because of inaction, Bay Ambulance requested the services of Honigman, LLP (Peter Rudell, Attorney)
May 14th, 2025 L’Anse Township Meeting Minutes – A motion was made by Trustee Soli to sign a contract with Bay Ambulance for 2025 for the amount of $216,611, seconded by Trustee Sweeney. Clerk Kahler, Treasurer Solberg, Trustee Soli, Trustee Sweeney – Aye; Supervisor Magaraggia – Nay
May 19th, 2025 – L’Anse Township paid Bay Ambulance one half ($108,305.50) of the 2025 contract amount despite approving to pay $216,611.00 five days prior (May 14th, 2025)
January 22nd, 2026 – The 2026 contract was mailed to L’Anse Township
February 3rd, 2026 – L’Anse Township paid the second half of the 2025 contract amount.
April 2nd, 2026 – L’Anse Township responded by email, and I quote: “The Township will need the contract to read that the payment will be made at half in December 2026 and half in April 2027 following the winter tax collection period of 2026”. At no point was there any request to meet and negotiate contract terms.
April 22nd, 2026 – After no additional communication with L’Anse Township, Bay Ambulance again decided to seek legal advice to mitigate this issue.
May 19th, 2026 – A letter was emailed and sent to L’Anse Township from attorney Rudell with a deadline to respond.
June 1st, 2026 – L’Anse Township sent proof to Attorney Rudell and Bay Ambulance that they made payments on the 2025 contract on
May 19th, 2025, and on February 3rd, 2026.
July 14th, 2026 – Attorney Ruddel emailed and mailed another letter with a response due July 22nd, 2026. L’Anse Township never responded.
The Bay Ambulance board of trustees decided that the residents of L’Anse Township needed to be informed of the township board’s inaction.
Bay Ambulance has always remained transparent about its finances. L’Anse Township receives a copy of our accountant’s financial review. These figures are also used for our IRS Form 990.
L’Anse Township has had representation on the Bay Ambulance board from 1991 through 2025. The latest representative resigned their position for personal reasons in 2025.
Since the inception of the L’Anse Township ambulance millage, L’Anse Township has always signed a contract and paid Bay Ambulance in a timely manner. Years ago, L’Anse Township requested that its contract be amended, which Bay Ambulance approved. Bay Ambulance received monthly payments through 2024.
In closing, it is very unfortunate that this is being carried out in this manner. We felt like we had no other means to inform L’Anse Township residents of what was happening. Nothing that we have done has been secretive or startling to the L’Anse Township board.
