Crawford County forms EMS advisory council, names six volunteers to shape levy plan

The Crawford County Board of Supervisors voted March 31 to establish a seven‑member county Emergency Medical Services (EMS) advisory council and publicly appointed six initial members, with a seventh to be named next week. The council is charged with studying EMS needs and recommending funding amounts the board could place on the ballot.

Under Iowa Code Chapter 422D, the advisory council will assess county EMS needs, produce an annual report to the board and recommend a funding request to be specified on the ballot. Supervisors repeatedly emphasized that the board retains final approval of any ballot language and tax rate.

Chair Craig Dozar said the intent is to give the advisory group authority and latitude to craft a proposal that is “palatable to the public,” and board members pressed for broad community representation to avoid a perception the commission was stacked in favor of any one stakeholder. The board discussed options including different tax-rate scenarios and the challenges of asking voters to approve a long-term levy: the discussion noted that voters could authorize a multi-year rate (examples discussed in the meeting referenced a 15‑year authorization cap) and that the advisory council would need to explain how initial rates relate to future budget requests.

The board named the following six initial members: Corey Gascal, Joe Gordon, Aaron Muk, Jacob Archer, Cindy Prudoff (listed in the record as Cindy Crudol/Prudoff), and Roger Kinkle. Supervisors said these appointees represent EMS providers, hospital stakeholders and community perspectives; the seventh member will be named at the board’s next meeting before the advisory council begins formal meetings.

Board staff and supervisors discussed operational details the advisory council must consider: voting procedures, open‑meeting and recordkeeping requirements, separation of advisory volunteer duties from county staff responsibilities, budgeting logistics (how a levy would form a separate fund, reserve planning and timing of tax collections), and options for loans if a new service needs startup capital before tax receipts are collected. The board clarified that any levy amount recommended by the advisory council would come back to the supervisors for approval and placement on the ballot.

The board adopted the motion to form the council and to appoint the six members by roll call; the motion carried unanimously. Supervisors said they expect the advisory council to hold organizational meetings soon and to return with analysis, recommended levy scenarios and a draft plan for community outreach ahead of any election decision.

The board recorded the action during the regular meeting; the item will be listed on the agenda again next week to finalize the seventh appointment and to provide procedural direction to the new council.