Floyd County EMS Advisory Council Continues Work

Work to shape a potential resolution to deem emergency medical services (EMS) essential in Floyd County continues..

Passage of the resolution would allow the County to implement a tax levy to help fund EMS services throughout the County including ambulances and first responders.

Earlier this week, Charles City Councilman Patrick Lumley, who also serves as the chair of the EMS Advisory Council, reported to the Board of Supervisors on the council’s initial recommendations. 

Preliminary numbers with a tax levy rate of up to 57.2 cents would mean about $30 a year for a homeowner per $100,000 assessed valuation; and about $257 a year for a business owner with $500,000 in property. It would generate about $556,000 a year.

Lumley says another “layer” of the tax levy is expected to be addressed when the council meets Thursday night.

The EMS Advisory Council has also suggested a 10-year period for the tax, much like the tenure for the one-cent local option sales tax in the City of Charles City and in the unincorporated areas of the County.

The EMS Advisory Council must make their final recommendations by the end of August to allow Supervisors time to possibly approve the resolution and advance it to the November general election. It would still require a 60% majority yes vote from the public to pass.

The EMS Advisory Council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday night at Charles City City Hall.