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Columbia County board approves ballot language for nonbinding EMS surtax straw poll
Summary
County staff presented and the board approved language for a nonbinding straw poll asking voters whether they would support a 0.5¢ sales tax restricted to public safety to fund county-operated EMS. The resolution clarifies the question is nonbinding and does not authorize a tax.
County staff presented draft language for a nonbinding straw poll asking voters whether they would support a new 0.5¢ sales tax restricted for public-safety purposes such as county-operated emergency medical services. The board approved Resolution 2026R-34 to formalize the wording so the supervisor of elections can place the question on the 2026 general election materials.
"Columbia County currently provides private emergency medical services through a private contractor. The county is considering whether to provide those services through a county department instead," read the ballot language provided by staff. The question explicitly states the measure is a "nonbinding straw poll" and does not itself authorize a tax.
Commissioners asked for the Spanish translation included in the backup and approved the resolution on a motion and second. Staff said the action was to provide clear, final language to election officials rather than to initiate any tax levy at this meeting.
