The Washington County Board of Supervisors is still working to hire an ambulance director for the new county department. On December 3rd, the board approved a job description with a salary range starting at $75,000. At that time, more than two months ago, Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said there is some urgency to get everything set up so that ambulance services continue locally on July 1, 2020. The current contract with a private entity ends at midnight June 30th.

At their weekly meeting Tuesday, Washington County Board of Supervisors chairman Jack Seward said they’re still in the process of hiring, “A couple of weeks ago, Dan [Widmer], Amber [Day], and I were authorized by the board to work with applicants to come up with a salary and benefits package, and although we have not reached an agreement yet, we’re planning on a session tomorrow (2/19) that we’ll hopefully be able to come to that agreement.” A closed session meeting is being held Wednesday on the matter. Earlier this month, the supervisors voted 4-1 to withdraw a job offer to their top candidate after receiving multiple phone calls. Last week, the supervisors voted to offer the position to their second candidate. Names have not been made public.

The county had nearly 20 applicants initially and an interview committee was established the first week of January to review them.