How to best fund emergency medical services (EMS), most specifically, ambulance service in Floyd County, is still up in the air.
During their meeting Monday (08.19), Floyd County Supervisors discussed options that include the latest recommendation by the EMS Advisory Council for an EMS Tax Levy to raise up to $670,000 a year for five years. Meanwhile, Supervisor Chair Mark Kuhn has lobbied for a taxi levy to raise about $450,000 a year for five years to be placed en an EMS “trust fund.” That proposal also calls for more financial contribution from Floyd County Medical Center (FCMC), with Kuhn slated to pitch the idea at Monday night’s FCMC Board of Trustees meeting.
Whatever form an EMS tax levy takes, putting anything on the ballot this November presents a time crunch to educate voters for possible passage. While challenging, Kuhn says it can be done.
Supervisor Dennis Keifer cited a recent conversation he had with Charles City Mayor Dean Andrews about his reservations about the timing of tax levy vote.
Kuhn countered with his own conservation with Charles City Councilman Keith Starr, also a member of the EMS Advisory Council and the Floyd County Ambulance Commission.
County Auditor Gloria Carr reminded Supervisors that the deadline to get an EMS Tax Levy on the ballot this November is Wednesday, August 28th.
An EMS Tax Levy to generate up to $556,000 a year for 10 years failed to get the 60% supermajority vote to pass in November 2022.
