Floyd County supervisors discuss making EMS an ‘essential service’

By Mitchell Hanson, Of The Press

Among the agenda items discussed during the Monday afternoon meeting held by the Floyd County Board of Supervisors was the process required by the county to declare emergency medical services (EMS) as an “essential service.”

As explained primarily by Supervisor Roy Schwickerath, the process would begin with the board “considering a resolution declaring EMS to be an essential service” for Floyd County at its May 9 meeting.

If agreed on, a notice to the public would be published on May 18, and then, 60 days later, at its July 18 meeting, the board could pass the first reading of a resolution that could lead to asking voters whether they approve of allowing the county to collect a property tax or an income tax surcharge or a combination of the two to support EMS services.

Emergency services such as fire and law enforcement are already considered essential services, and they are supported through city taxes, township taxes or county taxes. But EMS has not legally been an emergency service in Iowa, and there is no requirement that ambulance service be available.

Last year the Legislature passed a law that outlines the process for counties to declare EMS an essential service, and opened up more ways to fund EMS. Those funding mechanisms require a 60% majority vote for a tax to be implemented.

Several years ago, AMR ambulance, which provides service in Charles City and Floyd County, paid the city $25,000 a year for dispatch service and for firefighters to drive the ambulances.

As costs increased and insurance companies – and especially Medicare and Medicaid – began covering less and less of the cost to provide service, AMR said it needed a subsidy to continue operating in this area. Charles City paid the price the first year, but last year and this year the city and Floyd County have split the cost, each paying $100,000 this year. Their three-year contract with AMR expires June 30, 2023.

If voters approve a funding mechanism, that could be used as the subsidy to AMR and other county ambulance services, to start the city’s and/or county’s own ambulance service, or to help pay for services from some other ambulance company.

The public notice 60 days in advance would make it “clear for citizens to know” that a resolution was under consideration, said Supervisor Linda Tjaden.

Public meetings would be held during this 60-day window requesting input from citizens.

The Board of Supervisors would have to consider the resolution on its agenda for three meetings (July 18 through Aug. 1) for it to go into effect. After being read and approved for the final time, an EMS advisory council could be established to provide input on how much and what kind of taxes would be needed to support EMS service in the county.

By the end of August, the Board of Supervisors would decide whether the measure would be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot, and if so, whether it would propose using property tax or an income tax surtax, or both, and in what amount. The measure would need 60% approval by county voters to allow the EMS Advisory Council to levy the proposed taxes.

The board also received its regular weekly update about the ongoing Law Enforcement Center/courthouse update project from project superintendent Brian Shindelar, who said the project is proceeding according to the current schedule.

According to Shindelar, Dean Snyder is working on setting door frames on the third, fourth and ground floors.

Additionally, “Young Heating is working on ductwork on the third and fourth floors and cutting in holes on the second for ductwork. Young Plumbing is running piping and also replaced the water main shut-off in the basement. Paulson Electric is running piping for wiring on the 3rd and 4th floors,” he said.

“Advance Asbestos finished up removing insulation on the fourth floor but will be back later for miscellaneous work around radiators on all floors. Prowall has been working on some wall framing on the third floor and is also finishing drywall in bathrooms and lobbies on all floors in new areas. Personified Inc. of Waterloo is insulating ductwork and piping on the fourth floor. Rusty Berger Masonry is on site and will be laying block work for floor work on the ground floor and will be laying block walls on the 4th floor.”