Crawford County schedules EMS essential-service hearings; board confirms review appointments and hears conservation, historic reports

The Crawford County Board of Supervisors set additional public hearings on a resolution to declare emergency medical services an essential county service, confirmed two Board of Review appointments and received routine reports from conservation and historic-preservation staff.

Michelle led the board in scheduling the required sequence of hearings under Iowa Code 422D after staff advised the board had not completed all statutory hearings and votes required for the EMS essential-service resolution. The board agreed to hold three hearings on consecutive Tuesdays — March 3, March 10 and March 17 — at 10:00 a.m. in the courthouse supervisor room to satisfy the code’s multiple-hearing requirement and to allow the public and stakeholders to review and respond. Terry explained the code requirements and advised on advisory-council formation to guide implementation should the board adopt the resolution.

On appointments, the board approved Scott Bruce to a six-year term on the Board of Review and reappointed Mike Friend to a six-year term. Both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board heard the Conservation Department’s annual report from Chris. He reported that Yellow Smoke campground revenue rose to $153,370 with 7,718 camping nights recorded during the reported year; Nelson Park revenue and nights decreased (staff attributed some decline to a bridge closure and renovation periods). Chris said the department is reviewing possible camping rate changes (from $20 toward $25 per night in some sites) and described cabin rental pricing, utility costs and the approximate cost to build an additional cabin (cited a prior cabin at about $135,000 and an estimated current cost near $180,000).

Amy, representing the county’s historic-preservation efforts, summarized a busy year of outreach and events — including a sold-out progressive dinner — and said the Bell Cabin restoration was about $15,000 short of remaining fundraising needs. She said the group had applied to local foundations and estate funds and planned further fundraising activities.

The board took no final action on the EMS resolution at the meeting but will hear public comment at the scheduled hearings; if the board proceeds after the series of hearings it will continue to record votes and advisory-council formation as required by statute.