NEWTON – EMS is now an essential service in Jasper County.

On Tuesday, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution declaring EMS an essential service in the county. The approval followed three readings and public hearings.

Jasper County EMA shared on social media that the resolution did not entail the approval of a new tax or the establishment of an EMS levy, and that any future EMS tax proposal would ultimately need to be placed before Jasper County voters and receive at least 60% approval before it could be implemented. The next opportunity to place such a measure on the ballot would be November of next year.

Officials say that the Jasper County Board of Supervisors will form an EMS advisory committee over the coming weeks to examine issues such as staffing, volunteer shortages, ALS availability, response coverage, training, equipment, expenses, existing services, and sustainability. The committee will also be tasked with setting the maximum levy that will be placed before the voters for approval. Additionally, a dedicated page on the Jasper County EMA website will be created to house information about the process and to answer frequently asked questions.