County discusses declaring EMS an essential service and possible ballot levy

Emergency medical services leaders told the Jackson County Board of Supervisors Nov. 25 that many local volunteer and paid ambulance services are struggling with rising equipment and operational costs and asked the board to begin the legal process to declare EMS an essential service.

Kyle Bales and Mike Storm outlined the steps: the board would declare EMS an essential service, establish an advisory council to set minimum standards and distribution formulas, and then place a bond question on the ballot. "Right now, EMS in Jackson County isn't an essential service," Kyle said, adding that a levy can be structured for up to $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed value for up to 15 years but that many counties choose smaller rates (examples cited included $0.14 and $0.30).

Supervisors voiced clear governance and audit concerns. Board Chair Don Swicker said he wants a defined minimum standard so that taxpayer funds fund consistent, baseline services rather than ‘‘individual personal preferences of a singular unit.’’ County staff said tax receipts would be held in a county trust and that the auditor would be involved; the advisory council would propose distribution formulas based on call volume, population served or other metrics.

Staff noted that Iowa Code contains provisions governing the declaration and the public‑notice and reading requirements; they will draft sample resolutions, collect examples from neighboring counties, and return with proposed ballot language and an implementation timeline. The board did not vote on declaring EMS essential on Nov. 25 but authorized staff to research legal verbiage and publish required notices if the board later elects to proceed.