When you or a loved one dial 911 during a medical emergency, you expect a fully equipped ambulance staffed with trained medical professionals to arrive without delay. However, maintaining reliable emergency medical response across Fayette County has reached a critical tipping point.

This November, Fayette County voters will have the opportunity to establish dedicated, sustainable public funding for local emergency medical services by voting YES on the EMS Essential Service ballot measure.

Why EMS Needs Voter Approval: The Iowa Funding Gap

Under Iowa law, emergency medical services are not legally classified or funded as essential municipal services in the same way as police and fire protection. While fire and law enforcement receive baseline public tax support, ambulance services across Iowa have historically been left to operate on unpredictable billing revenues, municipal subsidies, and volunteer staffing.

Under Iowa Code Chapter 422D, counties can designate EMS as an essential service and establish a dedicated local funding stream—but only with the direct approval of local voters.

The Challenges Facing Rural EMS

Our local ambulance squads face severe financial and operational pressures that threaten day-to-day operations:

• Rising Operational & Equipment Costs: The price of a single modern ambulance now exceeds $250,000 to $350,000, while essential lifesaving equipment—such as cardiac monitors, power-load cots, and specialized medications—continues to surge in price.

• Unsustainable Reimbursement Rates: Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid reimbursements frequently cover only a fraction of the actual cost required to dispatch a paramedic-level crew. Services are legally required to respond to every 911 call regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.

• Staffing Shortages in Rural Communities: Rural EMS historically relied heavily on volunteers. As call volumes rise and modern medical training requirements become more intensive, relying solely on volunteer coverage is no longer sustainable.

Without a dedicated, stable funding model, a large portion of Fayette County faces the immediate risk of losing local ambulance coverage by the end of the year. Longer travel distances from out-of-county services would drastically increase response times during time-sensitive emergencies like cardiac arrests, strokes, farm accidents, and severe trauma.

What a “YES” Vote Means for Fayette County

Approving this measure establishes an essential service levy dedicated strictly to local emergency medical care. These funds will directly support:

• Reliable, round-the-clock ambulance staffing across the county.

• Upgrading aging emergency vehicles, communication equipment, and life-support technology.

• Retaining trained EMTs and Paramedics to serve our local rural communities.

• Keeping 911 response times as short as possible across all towns, townships, and rural roads.

Fund Oversight, Allocation & Transparency

All revenue generated by the EMS Essential Service levy will be managed and administered by the Fayette County EMS Association.

• Local District Distribution: Funds will be distributed directly according to each individual service district, ensuring tax dollars directly support the local ambulance squads responding to your community.

• Complete Transparency: The Fayette County EMS Association will prepare and publish an annual financial report detailing all levy receipts, district allocations, and operational expenditures.

This governance model ensures complete accountability to county taxpayers, with every dollar dedicated strictly to maintaining reliable, 24/7 emergency medical response across all of Fayette County.

How You Can Help Save Rural EMS

Passing this measure requires community awareness and broad voter turnout across every precinct in Fayette County.

1. Vote YES on the EMS Ballot Measure this November: Protect your family, neighbors, and community by ensuring an ambulance arrives when 911 is called.

2. Help Us Educate the Community: Our association’s educational efforts are entirely supported by community contributions. Consider making a donation to fund informational mailers, yard signs, and educational outreach to make sure every resident understands what is at stake before Election Day.