Ambulance Services Director Jeremy Peck

While the county could get its new ambulance, ordered earlier this year, by the expected July 2022, date, delays are possible as well as increased costs, the Washington County Board of Supervisors learned on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Ambulance Director Jeremy Peck explained that the last unit, “fully ready to roll” was $292,000. However, COVID-19 and all that followed the pandemic, have seen costs and delays increase everywhere.  As a result, there could be a 12% or more increase.

The county also had planned to have another unit for a July 2023 delivery, and while the supervisors unanimously authorized Peck to proceed with the move, actual costs and delivery time are uncertain. The only certainty at this time, noted Peck, is likely higher costs. A rough estimate for a new unit is more than $320,000. However, there was previous budget planning and allocations for a new unit in 2022 and plans for another in 2023.

Peck provided a brief quarterly report about the department, noting that total calls, for both District 1 and 2, exceeded 800, compared with 676 for last year. He also noted that while there are still delays in insurance payments and reimbursements, “things have been going really well.”

The board approved hiring Jason Longbine as a paramedic at $25.87 hourly. Peck noted that Longbine has about 15 years of experience “and we were fortunate to get him.” Also approved for hire was Josh Laws, EMT, at $20.37 hourly. Both were effective December 15.

The board also formally approved the pay increase for director Peck, effective November 4, from $3,437.48 to $3,841.23 bi-weekly. 

In other business, the board:

• was informed about the partnership with the YMCA of Washington that offers county employees a 20% discount for adult couple and family memberships. The membership allows use of all YMCA facilities in the county. As part of the partnership, the county will provide a quarterly report about employee membership numbers;

• approved the pay increase for Washington County Conservation Board Executive Director Zach Rozmus from $2,422.39 to $2,511.78 bi-weekly, effective January 1, 2022. It reflects his contracted three-year step increase;

• approved the Southeast Iowa Union as a county newspaper of record;

• approved the second reading of the Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) for the county’s incorporated cities and unincorporated county areas. Supervisor Marcus Fedler (who voted no at the first and second readings) was opposed to the tax, taking issue with it since the state has a large budget surplus. However, county treasurer Jeff Garrett, referring to last week’s meeting, explained “all that is collected by LOSST stays in the county. One hundred percent is used here by the cities and county [tax entities]”. Following passage of the second reading by a 4-1 vote, waiving of the third reading passed unanimously. Tuesday’s action extends LOSST until it is repealed in all but Riverside, which in a vote last Monday, extended it to June 30, 2032, 20 years from the original  implementation of July 1, 2012; and

• learned of the friendly rivalry between county attorney John Gish and county auditor  Dan Widmer, regarding the athletic teams of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, with Gish wearing a UI tie if Iowa wins and Widmer an ISU one if Iowa State wins. Widmer, who was wearing an Iowa State tie, noted that “it is virtually new,” that he has worn it twice, while Gish’s UI tie “shows a lot of wear.”  The bet covers all teams, with some board members noting that the ISU basketball wins by both the men and women’s teams was somewhat offset by the by UI wrestlers’ win.