<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4OBcuR_1Gwv3jSO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4OBcuR_1Gwv3jSO00" width="1766" height="1173" ></figure>(Glenwood) -- Mills County officials have taken the first steps towards setting a special election for early next year on a funding mechanism for emergency medical services in the county.At its regular meeting Tuesday morning, the Mills County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and unanimously approved the first reading of a resolution declaring EMS services essential, proposing a funding mechanism, and calling for a special election in March 2027. Earlier this year, the board opted not to place the essential service referendum on the November ballot after a state law change earlier this year allowed them to seek a property tax levy of up to $1.50 per $1,000 valuation rather than 75 cents. In addition to needing second and third approvals, EMS Advisory Council Chair Joe George said the board will also need to re-establish the advisory council."Following the third reading of the resolution passage, you will need to reappoint the EMS Advisory Council per the law," said George. "So then the EMS Advisory Council will come to you with a final report ahead of (the supervisors') December 1 meeting."At an August meeting, George said the 75-cent level would have helped prevent disbandment or consolidation of some of the county's emergency services and provide funding for training and equipment, but the $1.50 level would provide support if other funding sources are lost. At that same August meeting, Glenwood Fire Chief Matt Gray said EMS is at a critical point in the county."Staffing's a major, major concern," said Gray. "There's time when there's two-to-three calls going on at once. I have a few volunteers coming in that are able to assist. Other than that, it's paid overtime for call backs. Staffing's a big, big concern. Within the next 5-to-10 years, you've got so many of age that how many of them are going to keep doing this."County resident Chris Weide was the lone member of the public to speak during Tuesday's hearing. While supporting the idea of making EMS essential, Weide says the "Mills County Matters" working group couldn't support a "yes" vote on the ballot question until more information is presented on how exactly the money would be spent."Until we have the plan that shows how the money would be spent and how the service would be improved, we would like to see the special election delayed until we can see the plan and have a chance to review it," said Weide. "We want to make sure the plan is economically feasible and the money will actually improve the service."Weide, who says he has attended multiple EMS Advisory Council presentations, also feels more detailed information is needed on the county's current state of EMS."Nothing presented so far actually even shows us what the current service level is, like response times, etcetera," said Weide. "We would like to be able to understand what the current level is and how the money would be used to improve upon that."State law allows counties to implement the EMS essential service property tax levy, so long as it receives 60% of the vote as a ballot question.In other business, the board...--Approved signing an application for an STBG funding request for improvements to H34 west of Emerson. --Tabled action on a 28E agreement with Fremont County to provide shared county engineer services.--Approved providing $10,000 in local option sales tax funds to assist with the repairs to the tennis courts in Glenwood.--Approved the use of holiday lights on county property for the Glenwood Betterment Holiday Festival and the closure of the courthouse driveway from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 4 and 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on December 5.--Discussed a collaborative agreement and memorandum of understanding with Resilient Recovery Counseling for opioid abatement services and the use of opioid settlement funds.--Approved renewing the school resource officer liaison program with the East Mills School District.--Approved multiple revised county policies, including for credit card usage, employee expense reimbursement, and use of personal/county vehicles.--Approved the first tier canvas of the Tuesday, November 3 general elections.</div></body>

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(Glenwood) -- Mills County officials have taken the first steps towards setting a special election for early next year on a funding mechanism for emergency medical services in the county. At its regular meeting Tuesday morning, the Mills County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and unanimously approved the...

Mills County board backs first reading of EMS essential service resolution

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(Glenwood) -- Mills County officials have taken the first steps towards setting a special election for early next year on a funding mechanism for emergency

Mills County board backs first reading of EMS essential service resolution

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