Voters in five Iowa counties, including Pocahontas, have approved new taxes that will support local emergency medical services.
According to the Iowa E-M-S Association, about two-thirds of ambulance services in the state are either fully or partially staffed by volunteers and many conduct fund drives to cover expenses. A new state law lets county boards of supervisors put local tax referendums on the ballot to support local ambulance services. Like local bond elections, these referendums must get at least 60-percent approval.
Pocahontas County voters approved E-M-S referendums that were on the General Election ballot, with 78-percent in favor. Voters in three counties, including Calhoun, defeated referendums to raise local taxes for ambulance services.
(thanks to Radio Iowa for contributing)