Henry County Supervisors approve 28E agreement with EMS

MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a new 28E agreement with Henry County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to formalize their collaboration and financial commitment to the county's emergency medical response system. Finalized on Dec. 5 during the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting, the agreement will go into effect July 1, 2025, and will extend through June 30, 2026, with automatic annual renewals unless terminated earlier by mutual consent.

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This agreement strengthens the partnership between Henry County and Henry County Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Memorial Hospital, which operates Henry County EMS.

A key step leading to this agreement was the public vote on Sept. 10, when residents approved Public Measure AV, declaring EMS an essential service in the county and authorizing a new tax levy of 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This levy will generate about $1.1 million annually, representing a 48-cent increase per $1,000 of assessed value compared to the previous hospital levy for ambulance services.

This 28E agreement allows Henry County to contribute funding to support Henry County EMS through the new tax levy. Any tax revenue collected but not required to cover financial needs will be placed into the county's Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund, ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Additionally, the EMS Advisory Council will provide ongoing guidance to the Henry County Board of Supervisors to ensure the continued success of the EMS system.

During the meeting, Supervisor Chad White inquired about the maximum levy amount.

David Muhs, Chief Financial Officer for the Henry County Health Center, clarified, “The first year, it's based on assessed value, and we had to put a maximum levy rate and a maximum assessed value … it’s $1.1 million, but we can’t go over the assessed value, which is set for future years.”

This financial strategy ensures the county can address inflation and future financial needs as EMS services evolve over the next 15 years. The services provided under this new framework will include emergency medical care, ambulance transport, and mutual aid agreements with neighboring counties.

Henry County Supervisor Marc Lindeen praised the years of work that led to the agreement’s finalization and expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts involved.

“This has been in process for over two years and finally comes to fruition,” Lindeen said.

He extended thanks to Chair of the Henry County Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Memorial Hospital board of trustees Joel Prottsman, Director and Critical Care Paramedic Heather Kleemeyer, and others for their dedication in completing the agreement.

“Marc’s leadership on this, helping through the process and taking this across the finish line, has been a great success for the community,” Muhs said.

The approval of this agreement and tax levy demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining a reliable and well-funded EMS system that will enhance public safety and community health for all residents of Henry County.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com