Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sales Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners discuss putting hospital and EMS funding on ballot; counsel says listing both is allowed without split
Summary
Staff reported preliminary counsel guidance that the county may list county hospital and emergency medical services together on a special‑use sales‑tax ballot without specifying the percentage allocation. Commissioners discussed a 1% proposal, estimated revenue and outreach timing ahead of November ballots.
Staff updated the board on counsel feedback about drafting a special‑use sales‑tax proposition to fund county hospital services and emergency medical services. The county clerk relayed counsel’s guidance that the ballot proposition can list both purposes without allocating a fixed percentage, and that the county could allocate funds in future budgets if the proposition omits percentages. "I think the county can list both without a percentage of allocation," staff said, citing counsel’s emailed guidance.
Commissioners discussed whether to propose a full 1% levy, potential revenue (combined sales tax plus compensating use estimated in the transcript at roughly $691,000 county‑wide for the 1% example), and timing constraints for getting a question on the November ballot (staff noted 60 days is tight given ballot printing and absentee timelines). The board directed staff to confirm compensating‑use treatment and to plan public outreach (town halls, county fair presence) if the commissioners decide to proceed.
