By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – It was routine business for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at the Benton County Service Center, Vinton.

Medical Services report

Anna DeMuth of Benton County EMS (Emergency Medical Services) met with the board. She explained changes with an ambulance purchase which sets the  payment schedule over two years.

She gave a report on the EMS in Benton County. 

The report stated:

Looking at EMS call volume, North Benton led with 1,008, Followed by Belle Plaine with 543 and Blairstown with 236. Other services and first responders include Atkins, Cedar/Mount Auburn, Garrison, Keystone, Newhall, Norway, Shellsburg, Urbana, Van Horne and Walford.

North Benton had the highest call volume, followed by Belle Plaine and Blairstown. They are working on getting one set of clinical guidelines or protocols for all services. There are 13 services in Benton County. 

Dissecting 2024 call data of transporting services, North Benton Ambulance carries the largest call volume by a wide margin, with Belle Plaine and Blairstown forming a second tier of demand. Atkins, Urbana, and Norway respectfully attribute to busiest first responder services, with Van Horne and Shellsburg closely following. 

FY2024 Fund Usage

Substantial carryover due to creation of FY budget worksheet and deciding how funds could be spent and completion time and delivery of ordered vehicles.

Medical Supplies/Equipment, Education/Training & Building/Grounds Maintenance were the three biggest categories of usage.

FY2025 Fund Usage

• Ambulance – Remount for Belle Plaine & North Benton
• Paramedic FlyCar- Blairstown Ambulance
• Salaries, Wages, Stipends
• Medical Supplies & Equipment
• Lucas Device (Automated CPR Device), Cardiac Monitors, Ventilator
• Initial Training- EMR/EMT’s
• Reserve Fund for future vehicle purchase

FY2026 Fund Usage

• Vehicle Acquisition
• Equipment & Medical Supplies
• Building Maintenance & Upgrades
• Training/Education
• Reserve/Emergency Fund
• Most services are allocating funds to the reserve for future vehicle acquisitions.

Ongoing Collaborative EMS Efforts FY2025-2026 

The EMS Association and Services Directors are working on clinical guidelines and carried medications by first responders to align with a county-wide Medical Director. Dr. Dan Kinker, DO has agreed to participate as the Medical Director for Benton County and the transport and non-transport services wishing to align with him. We currently have nine of the 13 services affiliated or becoming affiliated. 

Transporting Services continue to work on standardizing medical equipment and supplies while working together to provide training and education opportunities. The ongoing efforts will continue to strengthen the EMS system in Benton County.

The EMS advisory committee will have a meeting in January.

Other business

• Vacation carryover was approved for Sarah Wagner.
• The board accepted the resignation/retirement of Deb Cummings, secondary roads. She has been with secondary roads for five years. 
• Excess flood insurance was approved for the sheriff’s office. The premium increase is $300 and gives more coverage.
• The board took time to work on the 2027 budget.
• The New Year’s Day payroll date was discussed. It was decided to keep the payroll date at Jan. 1. 
• A department head meeting is planned for Monday, Jan. 5. 

MEETING VIDEO