City council meeting moved to Bremer Center

Tuesday's Aurora City Council meeting, which includes a planned review of a proposal to consider privatizing Emergency Medical Services, has been moved to the Bremer Center, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The council is considering privatization as one option in light of last month's audit, which revealed that the EMS shortfall has drained the city's cash reserves.
City Administrator Adam Darbro announced last week that he and others have been working diligently to find ways to address an EMS funding shortfall which has drained the city’s cash reserves over the last few years, which prompted a closer look 
“As I stated in July 2025 upon my appointment, my goals are to provide complete transparency in our finances and operations, while thoroughly reviewing all departments for potential expense reductions,” Darbro said. “Reducing expenses remains our primary focus before considering any increases in rates or reductions in services. We have already begun implementing measures to strengthen the financial stability of our operations.”
Darbro noted that the city audit identified ongoing shortfalls within both the sewer fund and EMS operations, each of which plays a critical role in protecting the health and safety of the community. He said he and others continue to diligently explore all aspects of EMS operations — including structure, staffing, and response areas — to identify opportunities for cost reduction while maintaining dependable, high-quality emergency medical services for local residents. 
“One option currently under review is contracting EMS services to a private provider,” he said, sharing information on the city’s newly launched Facebook page. “At the April 14 meeting, the city council will consider whether to authorize the mayor to request proposals from private providers. At this stage, we do not know the potential cost of such services, as that information will only become available through the proposal process.”
Local residents may recall that privatizing EMS services was one option considered back in 2019, when the Hamilton County board announced plans to end its ambulance service due to cost concerns. At that time, the city offered to take over EMS operations, a decision which is now being reviewed.
“It is important to emphasize that requesting proposals does not commit the city to transitioning to a private provider,” Darbro noted. “Rather, it ensures that we fully evaluate all available options. It is our responsibility to conduct a thorough review so that any future decisions are well-informed and made in the best interest of our community.”
The April 14 city council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.