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Atchison County commissioners discuss sales-tax ballot to fund EMS and rescue
Summary
Commissioners discussed placing a countywide sales-tax ballot question to fund emergency medical services and rescue operations, reviewed statutory authority, timeline and potential 10-year sunset, and agreed to consider a resolution to place the question on next week’s agenda.
Atchison County commissioners on Sept. 30 discussed placing a local sales-tax ballot measure to fund countywide emergency medical services and related rescue operations. An adviser during the meeting advised the board there is statutory authority to include rescue functions alongside EMS in a dedicated sales-tax measure and outlined the process for placing the question before voters.
"If that is approved by the voters, then after that happens, you may adopt a resolution to levy a sales tax," the adviser said, explaining that collections would begin the second full quarter after the commission adopts a levy resolution. Commissioners said a 1% projection had been used in the county’s cost analysis and discussed timing the election to allow collections to start earlier in the budget year.
Commissioners debated whether to include a sunset provision and suggested a 10-year term as a starting point for future review. One commissioner said a sunset could allow future commissions to reevaluate funding needs and tie tax reductions to lower demand.
Staff and the commissioners also discussed using the proposed revenue to stabilize EMS operations and avoid reductions to services, while noting that rising costs such as fuel and equipment maintenance could affect long-term budgets. Commissioners agreed to place the issue on next week’s agenda for consideration and asked staff to finalize draft language and cost projections.
