Supervisors Moving Forward In Making EMS An Essential Service In Mills County

The Mills County Board Of Supervisors are continuing to take the necessary steps that could lead to county residents voting on a tax levy in November to fund EMS services across the county.

Following a public hearing last week, the supervisors unanimously passed the first reading of a resolution that would make EMS an “essential service” in the county. The second of three required readings was passed Tuesday at the supervisors’ regular meeting.

EMS is not considered an essential service in Iowa so the resolution must be passed before the supervisors can move on to the next step in the process – establishment of an EMS advisory council. The advisory council, appointed by the supervisors, would meet initially for approximately two months before making a recommendation on the services needed within the county and what the language, funding mechanism and amount should be on the referendum that gets put before voters. A “yes” vote of at least 60 percent would be required for passage.

Counties do have options when it comes to the funding portion for EMS services – a property tax levy of up to 75 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation, a 1% income surtax or a combination of both.
Supervisor Jack Sayers said passing the first of the required readings of the resolution to make EMS an essential service is the “first step in the right direction.”

“It’s very obvious that EMS is an essential service in Mills County,” he said. “We need EMS, especially in our rural areas. We need to make sure that everyone in Mills County has adequate coverage, no matter where they are.”

During last week’s public hearing, Rawles Township resident Sarah Curry asked the supervisors to give consideration to an alternative option allowed under Iowa law that allows a local EMS district to become its own taxing entity. She noted that Rawles Township is unique in that it’s served primarily by Tabor Rescue, which covers residents in both Mills and Fremont counties. Curry said allowing individual EMS districts to become their own taxing entity would ensure that a person’s tax dollars are going to their local service provider, in her case Tabor Rescue. She noted that under her preferred option, the maximum EMS levy can be $1 per $1,000 taxable valuation.

“It’s just something to think about,” she said. “There’s another statute that allows you to fund EMS. I feel like from a taxpayers’ perspective, it might be more fair and more equitable.”

Lonnie Mayberry, chair of the board of the supervisors, said he and fellow board members would look into the option proposed by Curry.

“I think our goal is to provide it (EMS service) to everybody though,” he said. “Our 28Es would still be in place but we would provide services to everyone and have better coverage for everyone county wide.”

Sayers also promised to give Curry’s proposal consideration.

“I’d also like to look into a little bit of what Sarah has said about the alternative funding method,” he said. “In case it comes to that, we need to have an alternative funding method.”

Supervisor Richard Crouch said he has researched other counties that have passed passed similar resolutions declaring EMS an essential service. He encouraged current EMS personnel in Mills County to serve on the advisory board if asked.

“You are the backbone of what we need to move forward with, so I would hope that if you are asked to serve on this council, you will do so,” he said.