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Ambulance tax to have first reading by Gwen Bolin--gbolin@journalenterprise.com The main issue at Monday morning’s Webster County Fiscal Court meeting came during a work session after the close of the court’s regular meeting. It was then Judge-Executive Jim Townsend addressed the possibility of funding the county’s ambulance service by the creation of an ambulance taxing district. “We need to look at the future,” Townsend said. “We wish we didn’t have to do anything but for the future of the ambulance service I feel like there needs to be a decision made.” Townsend said in the past the ambulance service has been subsidized through LGEA funds. The LGEA money received by the county is also used to subsidize the sheriff’s department, coroner, solid waste, and senior citizen programs among others. “The taxing district would generate revenue over and above the revenue that we now have,” Townsend said. “We’re going backwards as far as our coal tax severance money is concerned. It’s based upon number of tons, selling price and the number of employees in the coal industry. Those numbers are going south on us. That gives us less money on which to operate.” Webster County Treasurer Paula Guinn interjected, “When the LGEA money is gone everything will be shifted to the general fund.” Magistrate Jerry Brown suggested looking into selling ambulance cards to county residents. “I would like to consider that before we go to an ambulance district,” he said. “That has been tried in Caldwell County and they’re running about $300,000 short,” replied Townsend. “They’re having a terrible time. It just hasn’t worked out.” “If your have Medicare you wouldn’t buy one,” said Magistrate Tom Glover, “If you have Medicaid you wouldn’t buy one. If you have insurance you wouldn’t buy one. If you don’t have one of those three then you’re too broke to buy one.” Brown asked who would be in control of the ambulance district. “There would be a board of three from the county that would be appointed by the court to administer it,” replied Townsend. Townsend also said since Providence has its own ambulance service those residing within the city limits would probably be excluded from the taxing district. “What would be the average cost to property owners?” asked Brown. “If it was 10 cents on $100 of accessed value that would be $100 on $100,000,” said Townsend. According to Guinn 10 cents per $100 of accessed property value is the maximum the county would be allowed to tax residents for ambulance service. The court is considering affixing the tax to both real estate property and vehicles. “You have to remember that you have a lot of people from Webster County that are tax exempt from property tax because of age or disability,” commented Sheriff’s Deputy Nancy Storey. “That’s less coming in.” “Let’s have a hearing so people can express what their feelings are,” suggested Brown. Guinn told the court for the tax to be attached to next year’s property tax a first and second reading of an ordinance would have to be heard prior to Sept. 20. “I don’t think that would be a problem,” said Townsend. Brown suggested the first reading of the ordinance be in the evening so citizens would have an opportunity to have their say on the issue. Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. in the courthouse was scheduled as the called meeting where the first reading of the ambulance taxing district ordinance will be heard. “Public discussion for the creation of an ambulance district will be heard at that time,” said Townsend. Business discussed during the actual court session included insurance coverage. At the last Fiscal Court meeting Townsend expressed dismay that the insurance the court thought they were getting turned out to have a higher co-pay on prescriptions. There was much discussion concerning the coverage and the possibility of changing either insurance companies or the type of plan. Townsend suggested they look at getting some different quotes. Under personnel Guinn presented Jailer Dorris Crowley’s list of 12 employees to receive rate increases. “How does this figure into his budget?” asked Brown. “I think we need to hold off until Dorris can be here to answer that,” suggested Magistrate Jimmy Mooney. “If he can do it within the budget then there’s no problem,” commented Brown. The pay requests were tabled until the next scheduled meeting. Brown presented the court with a request from county residents to include a private road leading to Sebree Pratt Road into the county road system. This would allow the county to chip and seal the roadway. “There are four homes and seven property owners on that road,” said Brown. “If I’m not mistaken it was a county road at one time.” Townsend commented that residents at the other end of the same road had also expressed an interest to have their portion of the road included in the county road system. “I asked them to make a petition like this one but they never did,” said Townsend. The acceptance of the road was tabled until measurements could be taken and it could then be advertised. Glover presented a request for some improvements to be made on Pleasant Valley Road off Highway 293. Problems with the entrances to Pleasant Valley Road were discussed and noted. E-Mail this article to a friend.

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