Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service director Jacob Lindauer presented a petition to the Mount Vernon City Council for the establishment of an EMS District. Lindauer said there were 369 signatures, more than 25 percent of the population of the City of Mount Vernon, looking to establish a district.

Lindauer said that petitions are going to Linn County, Johnson County and Cedar County, as well as the community of Lisbon.

Lindauer and city administrator Chris Nosbisch had visited on the subject earlier this year.

“The truth is, I can’t think of a better way to have this decided than to have the public speak on this subject,” Nosbisch said. “Getting as many signatures as have been collected is not a simple feat to get done.”

Lindauer and Nosbisch explained that police and fire funding are both required by law, but EMS services are not required to be funded in the same manner.

“Ideally this would be included in service as much as police and fire,” Nosbisch said.

The petition and public hearing help this advance to a special election that will be held this spring. At the special election, the matter needs to pass by 60 percent or more to happen.

This would help enshrine funding for the service in the code, on top of the insurance, donations and small city fundings.

Lindauer said that is why he is approaching the counties like Johnson, Cedar and Linn as well, drawing in financial support from the rural populations as well for providing EMS services to those residences as well.

Council member Paul Tuerler said he appreciates all the work that has been done.

“I think this is needed,” Tuerler said. “This is a service like fire and police that need funding. There are districts across the state that are struggling because of the number of volunteers. While I haven’t needed their services, I’m grateful they are for the community. I can’t think of a better place to ask for citizens to have a voice on this.”