Sac County is looking to make its emergency medical service (EMS) an essential service to guarantee funding for a much-needed operation. District Three Sac County Board of Supervisor James (Jim) Wissler says no laws require the EMS to be available for counties. Wissler says that making it an essential service would allocate funding from the general fund account, provided through tax levies, to the EMS service, which is guaranteed for 15 years.
At least two, and potentially three, public hearings will be held in May for county residents to come to listen and voice concerns on this resolution. The exact dates will be announced in the next few weeks, as it must be published 60 days before the meeting date. Wissler says the public needs to be on board to make this change.
Currently, the EMS receives funds from the general funding account, but depending on county spending, that figure can increase or decrease based on available funding. By being an essential service, the EMS operations could get up to one percent income surtax or 75 cents per 1000 property value or receive both, depending on the advisory committee’s recommendations. Wissler says they will not be cutting the service or funding to the EMS, no matter what. He is just wanting to give the rural operation a more secure future.
If the public votes to make Sac County EMS an essential service, the advisory board will propose the tax levy rate for the Board of Supervisors to approve. The public is encouraged to attend the public hearings scheduled for May to voice opinions and concerns.
