Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in a special join session with the EMS Advisory Council. Supervisors Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk were present. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the conference room at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the are invited to join in during open session or watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

The meeting was started with an introduction around the those in attendance in the room along with those listening via zoom.

Anna Demuth, North Benton Ambulance Service Director explained the Iowa EMS system standard goals and what it means to have EMS be declared as an essential service.

Auditor Rippel explained the additional publication requirement for the ballot language needed for a public notice to voters for this specific public measure. She also shared examples from the county wide valuations and how the levy rates are configured. The maximum amount allowed for an EMS levy is .75 per thousand with a 15 year maximum time frame.

Continued discussion about how to inform the public and compile data to compare inflation over the years regarding the amount of calls per location or the amount of time it can take to respond to those calls. DeMuth would like all this gathered ahead of the next meeting so she can have time to put into all into a graph or pie chart. This information would allow them all a better idea of how to determine the asking levy amount needed for the ballot language for the November 7, 2023 Election.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set the next joint meeting with the EMS Advisory Council for Wednesday, June 15, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. at the EMA conference room at the Law Enforcement Center. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor