In regular session on Tuesday March 28, the O’Brien County Board of Supervisors heard from Scott Rinehart, Engineer. Rinehart shared chemical bids for weed control. The low bidder for chemicals was Van Diest Supply Company of Nevada, Iowa in the amount of $27,057.50. The 2024 Secondary Roads FY budget and 5-year construction plan were both discussed and approved. Rinehart noted paving of 3 miles of county line road with Clay near Moneta, and 14 miles of M12. The determination of these surfaces will be asphalt or concrete will be decided at bidding in December.
Jared Johnson of Emergency Management Service gave final details for the Courthouse Emergency Action Plan. Supervisors heard concerns for procedure, training and communications in the event of varying emergencies. The Supervisors approved adopting the Action Plan.
The loss of volunteer EMTs in rural Iowa is a state-wide concern and critical in some locations. A few counties have voted for Emergency Management Services (EMS) to be categorized as an essential service. Approved essential services become eligible for tax revenue support.
During Johnson’s time speaking to the Supervisors about the possibility of putting the question to the voters of O’Brien County, he explained Iowa code Chapter 422D establishes the rules for such a potential tax. He explained the chapter allows a jurisdiction in which voters approve the tax can be done by adopting either a local option income surtax or imposed an ad valorem property tax on all taxable property up to 75 cents per $1000 of valuation. No decisions were made about whether or not to present this option to voters.
Due to the shortage of volunteers the supervisors have been funding a financial incentive for 2 years. The next budget proposal reaches $165,000 divided among each of the ambulance services. This money comes from General Supplemental levy of the county. This led to discussion of proposed legislation to remove this levy as an option for counties across Iowa.
Johnson was asking if an ambulance service responds for an out-of-service call could this incentive money be used to help offset the $350 per call cost. Currently Paullina, Sheldon and Hartley charge this to other services if they respond. There was discussion but no real answer which ambulance service could charge the individual as well as city and collect the insurance proceeds. So many charges for a single call is getting a closer look. The money is currently approved to be used to pay on-call day, evening and weekends to volunteers of ambulance services.
Part of the motivation for this funding program is to relieve some pressure on cities to have an ambulance. In the case of Archer, brought up by Nancy McDowell, is that Archer is charged by Sheldon for each call response. The patient’s insurance is charged by the Sheldon ambulance and the City of Archer contributes to support the Sheldon ambulance on an annual basis as well.
Legally, hospitals and the county have no responsibility to provide ambulance service. There is also a concern for sharing of financial information of Ambulance services with the supporting governing bodies. No decisions were made. The conversation to properly structure and fund ambulance services will continue.
Jared Johnson requested time after his presentation to make comments as both a private citizen and concerning EMA. His brief comments were to “provide some support from myself and also from Emergency Management toward Conservation.” Johnson went on to say that he felt sorry them for the “pressure they are getting” from the outside.

Johnson declined to describe the outside pressure he believes the staff at Conservation are getting. Jared seemed to be under the impression that staff is leaving due to “the pressure.” Johnson’s speech can be heard at our website, www.belltimescourier.com.