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Muscatine supervisors hold public hearing and pass first reading to declare EMS an essential service
Summary
After a public hearing with residents and EMS leaders, the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors approved the first of three readings of a resolution to declare emergency medical services an essential service, beginning a process that could place a countywide levy (up to $0.75 per $1,000 valuation) on a future ballot.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing May 4 to consider declaring emergency medical services (EMS) an essential service and approved the measure on first reading, 4–1.
Presenter (S5), who outlined the proposal, said the step would begin a multi-stage process: the board would adopt a proclamation on first reading, appoint an EMS advisory council to review budgets and recommend a levy, and ultimately place a public measure on the ballot. “This is kind of the first step… basically to levy up to 75¢ per thousand dollar valuation for EMS,” Presenter (S5) said, adding that the public would have the final say at the ballot box.
Why it matters: Board members and respondents said the levy aims to shore up funding as many ambulance services do not recover their full operating costs from billing and reimbursements. An EMS representative noted billing shortfalls: “If I put an ALS rig out… I can bill $1,478.…
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