Washington County voters approve EMS tax levy

WASHINGTON — Voters in Washington County approved a measure Tuesday, Nov. 4 authorizing a new property tax levy to fund emergency medical services (EMS), a step that supporters say will secure countywide ambulance and rapid‐response infrastructure, according to unofficial vote totals. The public measure passed with 1,791 votes in favor — 68.91% of those cast — and 808 against.

The ballot language asked: “Shall the Board of Supervisors in Washington County, Iowa be authorized to impose an ad valorem property tax in an annual amount not to exceed $1,583,578, at a rate not to exceed 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value … for the purpose of funding Emergency Medical Services in Washington County … the rate for the first year shall be set at fifty cents per $1,000 of assessed value?”

This public measure needed at least 60% of the vote to pass.

Under the approved plan, the county will implement a tax levy of 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable property valuation in its first year of collection. The maximum levy permitted under the measure is 75 cents per $1,000, but the actual annual rate will be set based on the county’s budgetary needs and recommendations from the Washington County EMS Advisory Council. That council is comprised of thirteen members representing public safety agencies, the county hospital and clinics, community members and city representatives across the county.

The law does not require counties in Iowa to declare EMS as an “essential service,” unlike fire or police services, which the state treats as essential.

By passing this measure, Washington County joins a growing number of Iowa counties voluntarily elevating EMS to that status and establishing dedicated funding.

The levy will raise new tax dollars to meet current budgetary needs and support county‐wide ambulance operations, equipment, staffing, volunteer support, emergency communications and training.

County officials say the funding is critical.

The current ambulatory system, serving both rural and urban parts of the county, has faced increasing costs and diminishing volunteer rosters. The levy authorizes the county Board of Supervisors to impose the tax for a 15-year period, though the actual rate may fluctuate annually downward or upward (but not beyond the 75 cents cap) as needs change.

The Advisory Council will review budget requests each year and recommend the levy rate accordingly. Supervisors will have discretion to set the rate within the maximum and to raise or maintain it depending on revenue demands and service requirements.

This structure aims to ensure that the funding is responsive to operational realities, not just a fixed tax rate. Local proponents, including volunteer responders and EMS coordinators, argued that without stable funding, Washington County’s EMS system could face severe strain.

With nearly 69% of voters backing the measure, supporters say the outcome reflects strong community engagement with public safety priorities. The tax levy is expected to go into effect in calendar year 2026, and county officials will begin setting the budget, rate and implementation plan during the upcoming fiscal cycle.

The new funding model will provide a dedicated revenue stream for EMS across Washington County and aims to improve response reliability, equipment modernization and long-term sustainability of first‐response services.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com