The Iowa County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on Dec. 19 to adopt Resolution 2025‑12‑19, declaring county emergency medical services (EMS) an essential service and creating a process that could lead to a public vote on a property‑tax levy to support the ambulance service.

The measure does not automatically raise taxes, supervisors and staff said; it authorizes an election process and gives the county the option to seek a levy of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value if future budgets and advisory recommendations show additional funding is required. Adam Ravi, the county EMS director, told the board the resolution “just opens the door to a potential levy” and that the board and advisory groups would review budget results in the spring before any levy is placed on a ballot.

Supporters described operational gaps that they said endanger response times. A practicing county paramedic who submitted written testimony, Dane Martgard, said the county’s two staffed ambulances are frequently both on calls, leaving patients waiting for mutual aid from neighboring cities. “Every time a 911 call goes off within Iowa County, and both staffed ambulances are already occupied … the patient is left waiting often upwards of 30 minutes,” Martgard wrote. Pete Turdegatas, who identified himself as an EMS division director and state EMS medical director, told supervisors that statewide EMS staffing and equipment needs have increased and that relying on mutual aid is becoming less sustainable.

Some residents urged caution because of the possible tax impact. In written comments, David Reddick urged the board to explain how any new funding would be used and to detail projected property‑tax increases for homeowners. James Johnson of Ladora said the county should exhaust other funding options before asking taxpayers to pay more.

At the public hearing, Adam Ravi said the county’s November call volume and finances show pressure on revenue and operations: November had 125 responses, 97 transports, and the service has been operating under budgeted revenue partly because of delayed Medicaid reimbursements. Ravi said two new EKG monitors (Lifepak 35 units) are budgeted and that ordering them now would hold current quoted prices.

Supervisor roll call at the Dec. 19 vote was: Degan — Aye; Vice President — Aye; Moss — Nay; Meyer — Aye; Quantrovs — Aye. The board approved Resolution 2025‑12‑19; staff said advisory bodies and the board’s budget process will determine whether a levy is proposed to voters in a subsequent step.

Next steps described on the record include advisory-council review of EMS needs when the county budget is drafted, further budget analysis in March, and public communication if the board decides to pursue a ballot measure. The board also scheduled a related meeting date (set by a separate resolution) for Jan. 16 to handle associated procedural business.

The vote ends the public‑hearing portion of the meeting; advisory review and budget decisions remain to determine whether voters will see a levy question in the future.