Jefferson County Supervisors are asking voters to approve their new EMS Tax Levy

OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) -

The Jefferson County ambulance service has been around for decades... but just a year ago, the County decided to take over its operations.

Now it wants to change the levies taxpayers pay for the service.

Jefferson County Supervisor, Lee Dimmit, says, " We will eliminate both of those levies which totals 75 cents. So basically, were just taking it out of one pocket and putting it in another pocket. “

Voters are being asked to approve what’s called “County Public Measure A”: It’s a $0.75 per $1,000 levy on people’s property.

But Dimmitt says it’s not a property tax increase... but actually a cut. He said, “We’re going to take $1.07 away and then were going to ask you for 75 cents. So overall, there will be a property tax savings. “

Those who run the County ambulance say the vote will help people in all areas of the county.

Josh Hemminger is the director of the Jefferson County Ambulance Service. He says, “it’s not just going to Jefferson County Ambulance service. That support will go out to the volunteer services you know Libertyville, Lockridge and Batavia. “

Hemminger says this funding helps provide the paramedics and EMTs with a livable wage as well as maintaining all the vehicles in the county.

Hemminger said, “We put a lot of miles on there we do a lot of transfers and things like that too. “

Dimmitt added to this by saying, their newest rig cost approximately $250,000. And to replace that same vehicle in two years, the price will go up.

60-percent of County voters need to approve the levy for it to pass. Dimmitt says, “We’re probably looking at needing five thousand votes. “

But Dimmit says every one of those votes will be needed to supply Jefferson County with ambulance service when they need it most.

Dimmitt finished by saying,“ We have to have rigs to get there [to help people]. “