Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 in the City Hall Council Chambers at the Sheldon Community Services Center, downtown.
By approving the consent agenda, council members approved the claims list, financial reports, a liquor license renewal for Breu Haus, and a temporary wine permit for Top of Iowa Lucky Wife at Sweet Puddle Jumpers.
In new business, the council discussed an amendment to the tobacco license for Highway Liquor and Smoke Shop, to add glass and metal devices. Because there were some paperwork and other issues and the City Attorney was unavailable, the matter was tabled until such time as those issues are resolved.
The council also heard from O’Brien County Emergency Management Agency Director Jared Johnson, who provided a general update and talked about the status of O’Brien County’s support of the Sheldon Community Ambulance Team. Johnson says the declaration of SCAT as an “essential service,” which could allow for an election on a countywide ambulance levy, will not happen this year, but it is something they are working on. Johnson says the EMS issues are county-wide, and, in fact, region-wide. They also discussed speaking with legislators, asking if they might consider allowing cities to declare ambulance services as an “essential service.”
They also talked about having more paid ambulance staff. Council member Tom Eggers asked Johnson if his office could do a study to see what it would cost for an ambulance call if all responders would be paid employees, and figure out how much per year the ambulance service would cost the government subdivision or subdivisions.
Johnson also asked the rhetorical question, “If we have the financials to hire people, will we be able to find the people to fill those roles?” He says some people don’t want to be full-time and would rather act as volunteers.
KIWA Staff Photo
