WASHINGTON
To meet a publication deadline to meet state requirements, the Washington County supervisors Tuesday set 9 a.m. Thursday, October 17 for a special meeting to approve the resolution …
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WASHINGTON
To meet a publication deadline to meet state requirements, the Washington County supervisors Tuesday set 9 a.m. Thursday, October 17 for a special meeting to approve the resolution designating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential county service. Approval will permit publication by October 24.
The proposed resolution was in the report presented to the board in the Friday, October 11 work session. Initially, the board discussed tabling action until the next week to allow for formal preparation of the resolution and publication October 24, meeting the deadline for approval and public notice.
The board also discussed the proposed special 10-year levy to aid with EMS funding. Supervisor Jack Seward, Jr. explained that the levy could be “up to 75 cents” but that amount would go into effect only if needed, with that need shown in the EMS budget.
The proposal is expected to go to the voters in a special election in March.
The levy, which would be on property taxes, may seek 50 cents. However, in the brief discussion, the board was asked to look at the EMS measure approved earlier by a majority vote in Henry County that addresses the specific need factor, allowing for less than 50 cents, or more, up to 75 cents, to meet future needs.
Another consideration is possible state action regarding funding for the essential services and possible state operations and regulations.
In other business, the board approved an annual contract with Ahler and Cooney, PC, of Des Moines to provide legal services to the county in labor relations and human resources with a base retainer for $2,500 monthly. The contract lists services as well as provisions for changes depending on the legal issues that may arise.
The board also approved termination for employee Michelle Martin, county communications, effective October 8.
Quarterly reports from the recorder and the auditor were accepted, with the recorder noting that fees for the quarter totaled $1,815 and that the auditor’s report “is the last one that Dan will give us.” Dan Widmer, whose term expires December 31, is retiring and did not seek re-election.
The board also approved a clarification to the ambulance services rates for lift assistance that was part of the fee approved in June, but the listing for the lift had been inadvertently omitted.