Decision on EMS is likely

Iola City Councilmen are expected to decide Monday whether to accept funding from Allen County to help make up half of a projected deficit of $377,000 for its ambulance service.
County commissioners approved earlier this week a grant of as much as $189,000 to the city before year’s end.
The funding comes with the provision that Iola would refund the money if the city returns the EMS service to county control before the five-year contract between the two entities expires.

ALSO Monday, city council members will continue discussion on how the city will respond to a compensation study that notes Iola employees are paid on average 7.5 percent less than comparable cities in the state.
The Council has a proposal to hike compensation about 2.5 percent over each of the next three years, not counting cost-of-living adjustments.

COUNCIL MEMBERS also will discuss in a public hearing Iola’s proposed 2015 budget, which could entail a 6-mill increase to help fund its ambulance service, while relying more heavily on transfers from the city’s electric reserves.
The proposal in front of councilmen is to increase Iola’s property tax levy to 44.8 mills, up from 38.7 mills this year.
The Council must adopt the city’s 2015 spending plan at Monday’s meeting in order to meet state reporting deadlines.
It should be noted the EMS and city employee salary discussions will weigh heavily on the spending plan, and potential mill levy increase.
Monday’s 6 p.m. meeting at the New Community Building at Riverside Park is open to the public.