ARPA committee recommends countywide EMS service project

Portions of Jasper County’s $7.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds may be used for the creation of a countywide EMS service and a new secondary roads building, among other things. The proposal will be considered for approval by the board of supervisors on July 5.

In addition to awarding about $150,000 in what the Jasper County ARPA Committee described as “immediate needs,” the advisory committee’s proposal recommends the board of supervisors solicit bids to establish the countywide EMS service and then allocate funds to make the project happen.

Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma said the reason the full-time EMS program was included as a main priority is to provide staff and services during day-time hours when the smaller communities’ volunteer EMS services are at their 9-to-5 jobs. The goal is to lower response time in emergencies.

“Unfortunately what’s happening is more and more volunteer agencies have a harder and harder time finding qualified EMT people to maintain their transport status,” Talsma said. “They rely more and more heavily on the City of Newton … Every township is pretty much using Newton as a backup.”

Upon completion of the countywide EMS service, the committee’s proposal suggests any and/or all remaining funds be placed towards a new secondary roads shop/garage. Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said the EMS project could fund an ambulance and a structure to house the vehicle.

The immediate needs listed on the proposal include: $10,000 for storage racks at the health department; $85,000 for emergency radios; $15,000 to the American Legion; $15,000 for the Des Moines Astronomical Society; and $25,000 for the Jasper County Fair Board.

Halferty later told the committee that the county had been successful in acquiring grants, which would lower the price of the emergency radios to about $70,000 to $75,000. Jasper County Treasurer Doug Bishop, who serves as chair of the ARPA committee, said radios would equip all EMS providers in the county.

The proposal was passed by the ARPA committee — which is comprised of six elected officials and five citizens — in a 9-2 vote. Jasper County Auditor Dennis Parrott and citizen committee member Julia Prendergast voted against the proposal, but the supervisors will have the final say on whether it passes.

And, more important, how much money will be allocated to each project. Even though the ARPA committee can give a dollar amount, the supervisors will determine the specific allocation. Both Bishop and Parrott reiterated that point during the committee’s June 28 meeting.

“We’re here as an advisory board to make suggestions, but they can tell us to take a hike and do whatever they want, however they want to do it,” Bishop said.

Some committee members argued against certain aspects of the proposal, whether it was specific language or the projects themselves. Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson recommended the American Legion receive $30,000 instead of $15,000, but an amendment was not made.

Parrott argued against the health department, saying it “gets hundreds of thousands of dollars” in grants and has to look for ways to spend it. Parrott wanted an explanation as to why the health department should receive ARPA money. Prendergast agreed with Parrott.

Bishop said the radios would help emergency management. Parrott feels the health department already has the money to pay for these projects. Bishop said the county departments all have the money to operate as they are now.

Committee member Chris Herbold commended the proposal. Halferty also had positive things to say about the proposal’s seed money for organizations.

Other projects were considered by the ARPA committee, but members set criteria to narrow down some of the ideas. Any projects that “had outside sources” or were from private businesses or had already received ARPA money from their respective cities, would not be eligible for county ARPA funds.

For instance, a green space addition for Park Centre and fiber installs for Sully Telephone Association were denied by the committee because they are standalone entities. Many projects that did not have specific estimates were not included either. Some county departments submitted a number of projects.

Jasper County Conservation included trail updates, cabins for the Uhlenhopp Arboretum and Mariposa Park, a ranger and camping at Mariposa, yurts at Ashton Wildwood Park, funds for the Red Rock Prairie Trail and $2 million for a nature center. None of these projects were put in the proposal.

Quarry Springs submitted a proposal for $100,000 for various projects, but was not included because members said the park has already received ARPA funds from the City of Colfax. Committee member Larry Ladd argued Quarry Springs could be a regional draw, but others affirmed it is under Colfax jurisdiction.

Prendergast questioned the immediate allocation for the fair board, asking what made it different from the Quarry Springs projects. After members voted on the recommendation, she also questioned the point of the ARPA committee if the supervisors are going to ultimately decide how the dollars will be spend. Halferty said forming a committee was required by the original rules, but they eventually changed.

Bishop said the committee and the way it is set up is valuable to the county, particularly by having citizens from every quadrant and one as an at-large position. Talsma said the board of supervisors wanted input from other people on how to spend $7.2 million.

Bishop said, “I think everybody’s opinion matters. Whether I agree with the opinion or whether or agree with the vote, I’m glad we can at least sit here and have a civil discussion about things and then go from there.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com