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Residents urge care for low‑income households as supervisors weigh levies
Summary
Multiple residents told the board that household finances are strained and asked supervisors to consider tax relief or alternative funding approaches before imposing levies; speakers cited examples of people unable to afford medicine and warned incremental tax increases could cause homeowners to lose property.
Public commenters repeatedly stressed the county's economic strain as supervisors discussed possible fire and EMS levies. Damian Roe, a pastor and pharmacy technician, asked the board to remember that "people out here are hurting," recounting that "last week, an elderly lady couldn't afford a $4 medicine." Abby Messer, a lifelong resident, called volunteers "detrimental to everything in this rural county" but warned a levy imposed mainly on property owners would be unfair; Messer said, "If my taxes go up much more, I'm gonna lose the land and the home that I grew up in."
Speakers asked the board to consider tax-relief exemptions (age/income) and alternative ways to share the cost beyond property owners and urged the board to provide transparent data on how existing general-fund allocations would be adjusted if a levy is implemented. Supervisors and staff said they are researching relief options and will present data and options at a work session before any vote.
