The Iowa County Board of Supervisors voted to publish public notice and begin the multi-step process that could lead to a voter-approved levy to support emergency medical services (EMS), and approved a set of routine items including a road vacation, award of a low bid for bridge steel work and a proclamation declaring October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The board approved a resolution to begin required public hearings on a possible EMS levy after a lengthy discussion about timing, costs and alternatives. An EMS staff member told the board the process requires three public hearings and, if placed on the ballot, a vote could occur in 2026 with funds, if approved, not available until 2027: "Even if you wanted to do this as quick as you could, you have a vote in '26 — you wouldn't see any money till '27," the staff member said. The board approved the resolution; one supervisor announced a recusal/abstention during the recorded roll call.

Why it matters: county leaders said EMS costs and equipment prices have risen and staffing is strained; starting the public-notice phase preserves the option to pursue a levy later without obligating the county to increase taxes. Supervisors emphasized the action merely authorizes public hearings and does not commit the county to a future levy.

Most important facts
- The board approved a resolution to publish public notice and begin the required public-hearing sequence for a possible EMS levy. The EMS presenter described the legal steps (three public hearings) and timetable for placing a levy on a future ballot.
- Supervisors debated alternatives including internal budget cuts and creative funding, and several asked to see the county budget projections before committing to a levy.
- One supervisor recused themself from part of the discussion and abstained from the final roll-call vote on the resolution.

Other actions and decisions
- Road vacation: After a public hearing, the board approved Resolution 2025-09-19 to vacate a county roadway discussed at the hearing. The clerk reported 25 mailed notices had been sent; at the hearing no members of the public spoke in opposition. County staff said they will post signs indicating the route is a private drive following the vacation.

- Bridge steel bids: Two bids for the steel portion of a bridge project were opened. The low bid was reported as Odin Enterprises at about $100,003.67; Peterson Contractors bid about $111,008.46. The board moved and approved the action to proceed with the low bid opening/acceptance as presented.

- Festival road closure request: A request to close Twentieth Trail between 44th and 40th Avenue for a festival on Oct. 4, 2025, was discussed. Staff and supervisors said brochures and shuttle plans were already distributed, but the county felt the request came too late to change logistics; the board decided the requested closure will not take place this year and discussed coordinating earlier with planning staff next year.

- Appointments and personnel: The board accepted the resignation of Tony Hocamp from the Ezycon board review committee and asked staff to seek a replacement.

- Millstream Brewing parade/road closure: The board approved a parade-related road closure and keg-tapping event permit in October for Millstream Brewing Company; the business representative thanked the county for grant support.

- Proclamation: The board approved a proclamation declaring October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month, presented by a representative from a local domestic-violence crisis service. The presenter described the service's 24/7 hotline and outreach work in county communities and asked supervisors to note outreach locations for brochures and signage.

Discussion vs. action: The EMS item drew the most extended debate, with supervisors asking for budget alternatives and clearer estimates of service needs. Board members repeatedly said the public-notice step does not obligate the county to a levy; several urged exploring other budget options before placing a levy question on a ballot.

What comes next: Staff said the public-notice resolution is the first step; if supervisors proceed they must hold the mandated public hearings and, only after additional board action, decide whether to place a levy on an election ballot. Several supervisors asked staff to return with more budget detail before advancing further.