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Commissioners discuss countywide sales tax to shore up EMS, ask county attorney to research ballot timing
Summary
At a public discussion commissioners explored placing a sales-tax increase on the ballot to fund EMS and health services; staff were asked to have the county attorney research legal and timeline requirements for a possible November ballot and report back.
Commissioners heard a proposal to consider a countywide sales-tax increase to support local health services and emergency medical services. A presenter described options including a permanent increase or a time-limited levy (e.g., 10 years) and suggested that a smaller permanent rate (for example, 0.5 percentage point) could give commissioners more control over allocations than a single-purpose 1.0% tax.
Commissioners and staff discussed process and timing. The county election official and staff said a sales-tax question must appear on a ballot and that there are statutory publication and timing steps the county attorney would need to confirm. One commissioner estimated a 1% tax could generate roughly $400,000 for Ottawa County; commissioners asked staff to ask the county attorney to research whether the county could place a sales-tax question on the November ballot and to compile background on statutory notice and election deadlines. No decision was made to place a question on any specific ballot; the commission directed staff to research feasibility and return with findings.
