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County approves ABATE of Iowa liquor license after exchanges over EMS coverage and donations
Summary
After public comment from ABATE representatives disputing claims about past donations and describing fundraising shortfalls, the board approved a liquor license for ABATE of Iowa Inc.; supervisors urged the group and county EMS to improve direct communication about on‑site medical coverage and potential donations.
The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors voted June 19 to approve a liquor license for ABATE of Iowa Incorporated after an extended public exchange about the group’s finances and emergency medical services (EMS) coverage at the organization’s annual rally.
Melissa, who identified herself as “one of the assistant state coordinators for ABATE of Iowa,” told the board she and other ABATE volunteers have struggled since the 2024 floods and said the rally is the organization’s primary fundraiser. “I did hear that Phil said we gave a thousand dollars for the Burke Fire Department, which is false,” Melissa said, disputing a specific claim that had circulated among neighbors. She listed prior small donations and said that in 2025 the group had not been able to make donations.
Mike May, the other assistant coordinator who addressed the board, described ABATE as an education and motorcycle‑safety organization that runs the rally as a fundraiser and said participants spend money in town. “If you figure that kind of money I’m spending, what about the other 20, 30 people that are coming up on a regular basis — we’re spending a lot of money in your county,” he said.
County staff and at least one supervisor raised safety and fiscal concerns tied to ambulance readiness. Todd, who reported on legal research for the board, advised that state law prevents the county from conditioning a liquor license on private agreements such as mandating a separate EMS contract. Todd told supervisors the county’s options are governed by state occupancy and training statutes and not by locally imposed conditional terms.
Supervisors stressed the need for better communication between ABATE and county EMS. The board’s chair encouraged ABATE representatives to meet with Phil (a county EMS representative referenced during the discussion) to clarify who should be contacted about first‑aid and to inspect on‑site resources prior to the rally. ABATE said its new first‑aid coordinator, Wesley Stewart, is a firefighter and EMT with ER and 911 experience and that volunteers include nurses and paramedics.
Despite lingering concerns about the potential for increased calls during a large event, the board approved the liquor license by voice vote.
The board also agreed to continue informal conversations between ABATE and county EMS to clarify expectations, explore possible donations tied to event revenues, and avoid last‑minute misunderstandings. The county indicated any decision about a donation from ABATE remains contingent on rally receipts and financial performance after the event.
