WASHINGTON

A possible third shift for the Washington County Ambulance Department moved a step closer when Washington County Supervisors Tuesday asked Interim Director Katrina Alternhofen to return next week with organizational plans for 12-, 16- and 8-hour shifts and their operational costs. The request followed a discussion about the need for the third shift, staffing, time when calls are heaviest, increases in calls, the need for another ambulance and how to pay for everything. A rough estimate for the additional shift ranged from $250,000 to $300,000, but with a new billing system to be fully operational this month, it was noted collections “are better than last year.”

Altenhofen also noted that not all counties have designated emergency ambulance services as essential services such as fire and police coverage. She added that Washington is an aging county, making EMS likely more essential. She added that it is a similar problem in other parts of the state, especially in rural areas.

Supervisors Marcus Fedler, referencing responses to rural calls for service, suggested that possibly there could be some payments from the outlying areas, although he stressed that the issue is not a money question, but one of justification.

Altenhofen, addressing the emergency need, said that “the nightmare is a call getting the answer, ‘no units are available.’” In fact, the members agreed that the service is a lifesaving one and that when it comes to the department’s budget, said issues could be resolved.

In other business, the board had a brief presentation from the Workplace Learning Connection, noting it has added more job shadowing opportunities for middle and high school students, including for court reporting, for which the state has a serious shortage. The funding request was the same as last year, $2,256.50, which is 20 cents per capita for students, based on the 2020 census. The entire program’s budget is $800,000 with allocations from other counties, state and federal grants, private grants, and allocations from Kirkwood Community College.

The board received a presentation from Nancy Roth, managing director of the Kalona Historical Village complex, about tourism that is a big part of the Kalona area and also the county. She outlined the advertising the Village does for not only its museums, but also the area in local area and stay publications, as well as local media. Another advertising source are influencers and their audiences; however, the cost of having one come to the Village is $2,950, although all videos and materials would be owned by the Village.

She stressed that the Village, which just completed its seven-year project for a new Wahl Museum, is “growing each year,” asking the supervisors who have not visited the Village recently to come and see the unique $650,000 Wahl Museum that “houses” more than four centuries of Kalona and area history. It is also a regularly scheduled field trip for area schools.

“We just received a Riverboat grant to restore the depot (which created the town) to its original state,” and have plans to move a 19th century barn to the grounds where it will be restored to show another aspect of the agricultural heritage of the town. “I am not asking for money,” she said, after inviting the board to the Village. “Just come and see what we have.”

The board approved Curt Dalymeyer as the Cedar Township trustee to a term ending in December 2024.

The board also accepted the IT Committee Report that has increased its representatives to include county administrative and public safety representatives, as well as plans to meet short- and long-term goals for county IT needs, including a new hire. A draft proposal for the committee will be presented at next week’s meeting.