Public hearing held on declaring PSS an essential service; board splits declaration from levy debate

The board opened Public Hearing No. 2 to consider declaring PSS (an essential service designation related to EMS) in Iowa County and invited public comment.

Citizen Scott Hamlin spoke in favor of declaring the service essential and said he supports maintaining the service and exploring collaborative options to sustain operations. During the meeting a board member (Mary) explained she voted 'no' on a combined measure earlier because she preferred separate resolutions — she would support declaring the service essential but opposed introducing a new levy rate without further budget review.

Why it matters: the distinction matters procedurally because declaring a service essential is an acknowledgment of its local importance; levying additional taxes requires a separate, specified process and public notice. The board conducted a roll-call portion of the hearing (the transcript records voice responses such as 'Hi' and 'Ma'am' during roll call) and proceeded through the public-hearing process.

Next steps: the board continued the hearing process and staff indicated further procedural and publication steps would follow as required by statute. No final levy decision was adopted on the record during the segment captured in the transcript.