The Marion County Board of Supervisors approved two agenda items related to the continued process of potentially establishing Emergency Medical Services as essential at their meeting Tuesday.

The first agenda item included an engagement agreement with Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., for assistance in drafting ballot language and other related documents as the county determines whether or not to establish EMS as an essential service, leading to a potential levy for residents to vote on sometime in the next year. Marion County Attorney Jared Harmon says with how new the law is, they want to make sure they aren’t creating the legal basis for future court cases.

The second agenda item authorized notice and set a date for the board to consider a resolution declaring Emergency Medical Services to be an essential service. Marion County Auditor Jake Grandia says the full authorization could take place at the August 13th meeting after a 60-day period that was kick started at this week’s session.

Both items passed 2-1, with Board Members Steve McCombs and Kisha Jahner voting in support, and Chair Mark Raymie voting against. McCombs wants to see the process move forward and get to a potential advisory committee; Raymie stated his opposition due to concerns about a tax increase during a recession.

Find full audio of the EMS portion of the meeting here: