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Commission agrees to survey voters on 1-cent sales tax to fund EMS rescue capital plan
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to survey public support for a 1-cent county sales tax for 10 years to offset property-tax funding for EMS rescue and related capital needs. Staff will finalize R&R survey language, publish materials and collect responses before the budget hearing.
Atchison County commissioners agreed Aug. 12 to move forward with a public survey about a proposed 1-cent sales tax for 10 years to offset property-tax funding for EMS rescue capital and operating needs.
Commissioners and staff discussed the technical details and public messaging for the R&R (research and revenue) survey. Staff presented revenue estimates showing the first-year gross revenue projection of roughly $907,000 and a 10-year projection totaling about $9.8 million; commissioners asked staff to also present an annualized figure so residents could compare yearly revenue to existing budgets.
Discussion centered on how a sales tax shares burden across residents, visitors and transient populations (including a college population and through-traffic) rather than relying solely on property owners. Commissioners asked for concise wording explaining that a sales tax captures non-property owners (visitors, shoppers and students) and can reduce the mill levy for property taxpayers. The board agreed to adjust the survey language to use phrasing such as "Would you consider a 1-cent sales tax for 10 years to offset property-tax funding for EMS rescue?" and to include a short explanatory line about who benefits.
Commissioners discussed the EMS capital-improvement needs: staff presented a 10-year forecast for vehicles and equipment, including estimated replacement costs for ambulances and defibrillators, and noted that equipment and replacement schedules will require ongoing funding. Commissioners agreed the R&R survey should focus on the 1-cent option and reconvene for more detailed ordinance wording if the public survey indicates support.
Staff will finalize the R&R survey wording and publish it on the county website and social media, provide printed copies for the upcoming budget hearing and offer a QR code for online responses. Commissioners asked staff to solicit early feedback and return results; staff estimated they could report initial survey feedback within a couple of weeks. No formal ballot measure or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the action was to proceed with public surveying and outreach.
