(Red Oak, IA) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, today (Tuesday) resumed previous discussions held with regard to EMS as an essential service. Prior to that portion of the agenda, the Board heard from Villisca City Councilman Tripp Narup, who acknowledged it’s a “complex issue.”
They also heard from Red Oak City Administrator Lisa Kotter, who updated the Board on EMS negotiations with the other cities in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman provided the Supervisors with the latest information on what is needed to move forward, including ways to fund EMS as an essential service, according to the Iowa Code.
Hamman was asked by Supervisor Mike Olson where the County should start to get ball rolling on putting a measure up for a vote in a future election.
Hamman said there are several issues to consider, including staffing an EMS District. He mentioned also there’s not enough time to get a referendum on the ballot for the 2026 November General Election.
Brian Hamman will reach out to the communities in the County to establish members of a Committee to discuss ways to move forward. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors received an update from County Engineer Karen Albert, who says crews have been working on hauling road rock, cold patching, dust control and equipment maintenance.
The Supervisors then approved the Secondary Roads FY 2027 Iowa DOT Budget, which matches the County Secondary Roads Budget. They approved also, the Secondary Roads FY2027 5-year Construction Plan for the Iowa Department of Transportation.
And, the Board approved a request for the use of the Montgomery County Courthouse lawn beginning at 8-a.m. on July 7th, as part of the Iowa 99 County Bible Reading Marathon.
