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Iowa EMS to pull ambulance service from city that refuses to pay

The chief sent a letter to township trustees stating the service would stop Oct. 1 in fairness to residents who pay through property taxes.

The Associated Press

EVANSDALE, Iowa — The city of Evansdale plans to end its ambulance service to nearby Poyner Township.

Evansdale Fire Chief Kent Smock sent a letter to township trustees stating the service would stop Oct. 1 because trustees have declined to pay for the service.

Evansdale has been billing Poyner Township patients through an informal agreement since the early 1970s. But changes in the economy and how people pay for medical costs led to a deficit in the operation.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Smock says the decision is in fairness to Evansdale residents, who end up paying for the services through property taxes.

Smock said he is willing to negotiate a contract with Poyner Township. The newspaper reports it was unable to reach any of the three Poyner Township trustees.