Newton County approves contract to hold May election for Emergency Services District 6 sales tax

Newton County Commissioners approved a contract to allow Emergency Services District (ESD) Number 6 to place a sales tax measure on the May ballot and for the county to conduct that election.

Court members said ESD 6 held its first meeting the night before and voted to propose a sales tax on the May ballot. The contract before the court authorizes the county to administer that election; no tax rate or levy detail was adopted by the court — the contract simply permits the election to proceed so voters can decide.

Speakers said the purpose of the new ESD is to provide emergency medical services to areas of the county that are poorly covered, particularly parts of the southern county and areas north of Devil’s Pocket, and that the board has discussed public outreach including potluck meetings and community visits. Commissioners emphasized the county’s role is to hold the election; whether to levy a sales tax will be decided by Newton County voters.

In discussion commissioners asked county staff to ensure ESD outreach to communities that might worry about losing existing ambulance service; the court reiterated it did not intend for the ESD to remove services currently provided by providers such as Acadian if those providers remain available in a given area.

The court approved the contract by motion and voice vote. During the meeting the district’s planned public meetings and the inclusion of Alan Collier (fire department representative) on the ESD board were referenced as ways to engage the community before the vote.