Lansing Emergency Medical Services responds to State of Iowa Auditor investigative report; Local support expressed
Following the release of a special investigation report by State of Iowa Auditor Rob Sand Monday morning, June 15 in regard to financial matters with Lansing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the period January 1, 2019, through September 30, 2025, leaders of Lansing EMS responded to the report with a statement outlining their own acknowledgment, gratitude and assurance of how much its members value the responsibility they have in serving the public and the trust of that public they serve.
The released report indicates that the special investigation was requested by the Allamakee County Auditor’s Office in February of 2025 as a result of concerns regarding certain financial transactions and financial reporting of Lansing EMS. The investigation outlined the identification of $8,461.20 of what were labeled as improper disbursements and $9,778.67 of what were termed unsupported disbursements over that nearly six-year period.
The Investigative Summary that accompanied the State Auditor news release further explained that a vast majority of the disbursements in question centered around holiday staff parties, and stated that, “Because these events were private and not open to the public, these are considered improper disbursements.” In a Monday, June 15 press conference, Sand further explained that, while the expenditures made in regard to those events may be reasonable, there are certain rules that publicly-funded entities have to follow in spending their funding. The release also offered recommendations to help remedy, address and alleviate concerns that prompted the review.
LANSING EMS RESPONDS
In response to that report, Lansing EMS issued the following statement:
“Lansing Emergency Medical Services has reviewed the recently released Special Investigation Report issued by the Iowa Auditor of State regarding EMS financial records and practices from January 1, 2019, through September 30, 2025.
First and foremost, we recognize the importance of public trust. Our organization exists to serve our communities by providing emergency medical care, and we take seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of all funds entrusted to us. We appreciate the time and effort invested by the Iowa Auditor of State’s Office, the Allamakee County Auditor’s Office, and all individuals involved in reviewing our operations and helping identify opportunities for improvement.
The report identified deficiencies in recordkeeping, documentation retention, financial oversight, and governance practices. While we acknowledge these findings and the need for improvement, it is important to note that the investigation period spans nearly seven years and multiple administrations. The majority of the unsupported expenditures identified in the report occurred during years prior to the current Director and Treasurer assuming their positions.
Since January 2025, the current Director and Treasurer have worked cooperatively with the Allamakee County Auditor’s Office, the Iowa Auditor of State’s Office, legal counsel, board members, and community stakeholders to identify deficiencies and implement corrective actions. These efforts began before the completion of the investigation and will continue moving forward.
Over the past several months, Lansing EMS has already begun strengthening its operations through the development and implementation of formal operating procedures, enhanced financial oversight practices, improved record retention requirements, updated board policies, stronger internal controls, and more robust financial review procedures. In addition, work is underway to establish a new and properly filed 28E Agreement to ensure the organization operates under a clear and current governance structure.
The report also discusses expenditures related to employee and volunteer recognition activities. Lansing EMS has historically relied on dedicated volunteers and staff who provide countless hours of service to ensure emergency medical care remains available to our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While certain positions receive modest stipends for administrative and operational duties, the vast majority of those serving Lansing EMS do so in addition to full-time careers, family responsibilities, and other community commitments. Volunteer recruitment, recognition, and retention have long been viewed by EMS leadership as important components of maintaining a strong emergency response system in a rural community.
While the Auditor determined certain expenditures associated with these activities were improper under applicable public-purpose standards, Lansing EMS respects that determination and will continue working with legal counsel, auditors, and our governing board to ensure all future expenditures are guided by clear policies, appropriate oversight, and full compliance with applicable requirements.
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