The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 23 approved leases establishing space allocations and cost-sharing for an Emergency Response Complex (ERC) intended for EMA, EMS and E911 functions, after a period of debate and a brief tabling for attorney revision.

Todd (county counsel) presented draft leases and a labeled Exhibit A diagram showing proposed space allocations within the county-owned building (North and South portions and a “cold storage” area). Board members and agency representatives discussed several issues before the approval: whether EMS would move from the hospital into county facilities, the amount of renovation required to make the cold storage usable, how rent and utilities would be allocated and budgeted, and whether to include renegotiation language to allow future changes if occupancy needs change. The transcript records a proposed rent of $12,000 per year used in budget planning and an intent to schedule a meeting (first Tuesday in May suggested) to review space allocations ahead of next fiscal-year budgeting.

Because the hospital had expressed interest in expanding a lab and potentially taking EMS space at the hospital, supervisors sought language to preserve the county’s ability to renegotiate and to protect emergency services’ continuity. Todd said termination and renegotiation language is analogous to farm leases and primarily protects tenants while allowing renegotiation in good faith.

The board initially moved to table to allow Todd time to incorporate revisions. After review and addition of clarifying provisions (including a December 1 discussion date for dollar amounts and a provision for good-faith discussion on space reallocations), the board voted to approve the ERC lease as written and also approved a motion authorizing EMS and E911 to pay their planned portions of rent and utilities (with the caveat that E911 will take formal approval to its commission in January). The board asked staff to include amounts in department budget worksheets and scheduled future coordination meetings to refine occupancy and cost allocations.