Today, the Webster County Board of Supervisors is considering the first reading of a resolution to declare EMS an essential service in the county.

In Iowa, police and fire departments are considered essential services and by law are funded through taxes. However, emergency medical services are not considered essential statewide, though individual counties can establish EMS as an essential service and set up a tax levy specifically to fund EMS. Currently, Webster County is not one of those counties.

“Ensuring efficient and effective EMS coverage is essential for maintaining the health and welfare” of Webster County residents, according to the resolution.

The resolution must go through three readings before the supervisors can vote to adopt it. If the resolution is adopted, it will allow the supervisors to put on the next election ballot a question asking voters to approve a property tax levy of 75 cents per $1,000 taxable value to be used exclusively for EMS in Webster County.

A vote to implement an EMS levy must pass with at least 60% yes votes.

The supervisors will consider the resolution during a special meeting today at 10 a.m. at the Webster County Courthouse. A public hearing on the resolution will also be held during the meeting.