Making EMS an Essential Service in Floyd County Takes Next Steps
The process of making Emergency Medical Services (EMS) an essential service in Floyd County takes its next steps within the next week.
If EMS becomes essential, it would allow the County to implement a tax levy to help fund EMS services like ambulances and first responders. The Board of Supervisors has set a public hearing for July 18th for discussion and first reading of a resolution to make EMS essential. Second and third readings are also required before advancing it to the ballot this November, which then would still need 60% of the majority vote to pass.
Supervisor Roy Schwickerath says a series of public meetings have been scheduled to provide more information, starting tonight (07.06).
Supervisors noted that the measure has received letters of support from the Nora Springs Volunteer Ambulance Service, Marble Rock Fire and Rescue, and the Floyd County EMS Association.
An EMS tax could also help the County cover its $100,000 year subsidy it pays for AMR Ambulance to provide service in the county. The City of Charles City also kicks in $100,000, but that amount is expected to increase if that arrangement continues after the current contract between the three parties expires June 30, 2023.
Both the County and the City are also discussing the possibility of starting its own ambulance service, although officials say they are happy with AMR’s service. However, after only AMR replied by last Thursday’s deadline asking for letters of interest from possible ambulance service providers, the Floyd County Ambulance Council wants to keep all options on the table.
