Atchison County commissioners discuss sales-tax ballot to fund countywide EMS, including rescue services

Atchison County commissioners on Sept. 30 discussed placing a local-option sales-tax question before voters to fund countywide emergency medical services, including rescue operations, and agreed to place a draft resolution on next week’s agenda for formal consideration.

Legal advice presented to the board said county authority exists to use a local sales tax for EMS and closely related rescue services if the ballot language explicitly covers rescue as part of emergency medical services. The adviser told commissioners there is no legal requirement to set a sunset on such a tax, though a sunset may be desirable politically or for periodic review.

The adviser outlined the basic process: the commission would adopt a resolution directing the election officer to place the ballot question; if voters approve the question, the commission may later adopt a resolution to levy the sales tax. The adviser said a tax approved by voters would become effective on the first or second full quarter after the commission adopts the levy resolution, and discussed timing tied to a primary election so collections could begin in 2027.

Commissioners discussed possible rate assumptions and planning uses. Commissioners and EMS leadership said a 1% sales-tax projection in the draft analysis appears to cover near-term staffing and equipment needs identified in the department’s 10-year capital improvement plan; commissioners said they want future commissions to be able to reevaluate the tax and discussed a 10‑year sunset as a political option.

Corey Scott, who provided the department’s August EMS report for the record earlier in the meeting, joined parts of the discussion and confirmed that rescue work is integrated with medical treatment in many calls and that most rescue responses include patient evaluation.

Commissioners asked staff to refine the draft ballot language so it specifically references funding for both “emergency medical services” and “rescue” operations. They directed staff to place the draft resolution on the agenda for the commission’s next meeting for formal consideration when a full complement of commissioners is present. The motion to place the item on next week’s agenda passed 2 to 0.

Next steps identified in the meeting included finalizing ballot language, confirming the election date to meet statutory deadlines, coordinating with stakeholders and potential community advocates, and pairing the projected revenue with the county’s 10‑year capital improvement plan so voters can see how proceeds would be used.