Advisory Council Makes Final Recommendations on EMS Tax Levy

One piece to the puzzle remains for a possible resolution to put before voters that would deem Emergency Medical Services (EMS) essential in Floyd County.

Charles City councilman and chair of the EMS Advisory Council, Patrick Lumley, reported to the Board of Supervisors Monday that their final recommendations on a tax levy the County could assess if EMS is declared essential are the same as last week. They’re proposing a tax levy that would generate about $556,000 a year for 10 years to help fund things like ambulances and first responders throughout the county.

However, Lumley says the council could not come to a consensus on whether a property tax, an income surcharge, or a combination of both should be utilized to generate the revenue.

Supervisor Roy Schwickerath, a non-voting member of the council, recognized the challenge of trying to project how much money will be needed to provide EMS down the road.

Supervisors did not act on the council’s recommendations Monday, but agreed they must make a decision on the final draft of the resolution during their meeting next Monday (Aug. 29). That’s their deadline to get the measure on the ballot for November, while also working in public education on the resolution, which will require a 60% majority vote to pass.