PROPOSITION: MAINTENANCE OF ESSENTIAL EMS SERVICES
|
*ANNOUNCEMENT*
Discussion of: Proposition: Maintenance of Essential EMS Services Town Hall Meetings These meetings are set-up for the public to attend, to learn and ask questions about the proposed property tax increase to Audrain Ambulance District service area. July 6th, 2022 American Legion Hall 106 East Jefferson Street, Martinsburg, MO 6:30 P.M. ___________________________________________________________________ July 13th, 2022 Audrain Ambulance District 440 Kelley Parkway, Mexico, MO 6:30 P.M. ___________________________________________________________________ July 20th, 2022 City Hall 301 East 1st Street, Laddonia, MO 6:30 P.M. If you have questions, please contact us at 573-581-1722 or use our contact us tab. |
Audrain Ambulance District is asking for you to vote on August 2, 2022. The district is seeking to add a property tax increase of 0.3000 cents on $100 assessed valuation with a mandatory 50% sales tax roll back.
In June 2008, voters approved the formation of Audrain Ambulance District with the passing of a 0.3000 property tax rate on $100 assessed valuation. Implementation of the property tax was in August of 2008 with the formation of the board. The district began services on October 1, 2009. In April of 2010, voters approved the collection of sales tax and it started in October of 2010. By law, sales tax and property tax can both be collected for up to one full year after the approval of a sales tax. With the 50% rollback formula (321.552 RSMo), the property tax rate was decreased to 0.1178 cents on $100 assessed valuation in 2012. Since 2012, the property tax rate has ranged from the 2021 rate of 0.934 cents to 0.1296 cents on $100 assessed valuation. Since the formation of the district, we have been able to maintain operations of two ambulance locations, Station #1 on Kelley Parkway in Mexico, and Station #2 near Scott’s Corner in Laddonia. We have also been able to purchase five ambulances, maintain necessary lifesaving equipment, and support the increasing calls for service volume. Audrain Ambulance District currently operates three ambulances twenty-four hours a day and has two ambulances in reserve. Why a tax increase? As most business owners are aware, the cost of operation has drastically increased since October of 2009. Our ambulances have aged to out of warranty stage in their life. We have two 2015, two 2016 and one 2017 ambulance. We also house a 2020 SUV to help with calls and operational items. The maintenance for the ambulances is suggesting we need to replace two of them. The cost of supplies to properly take care of patients has also increased, creating a budget burden. Simple items like gloves and other personal protective items have nearly increased 75% in cost. Fuel has increased to an average no one has seen creating a difficult budget expansion. The cost of updating necessary life saving equipment for our citizens to receive the quality of care deserved has increased in the same fashion. Our local hospital is currently closed, causing every patient that is transported to go either to Columbia, Hannibal, Jefferson City, even at times towards St. Louis. This has created a large increase in fuel use and fatigue to your care providers. It also increases the chance of an ambulance not being available at your time of need, possibly waiting thirty minutes to an hour for an ambulance. We do have mutual aid agreements with every surrounding agency, but they are fighting the same battle your ambulance district is. An increase in wages has made it nearly impossible to compete for employees or even maintain a minimum wage standard for them. What has the district done to decrease spending? All operational aspects have thoroughly been evaluated to make sure we are spending what only needs to be spent. Medications no longer necessary or that can be purchased in a different package or dose to decrease cost has been completed. A preventative maintenance plan for buildings and equipment including ambulances has been established, attempting to decrease cost. The district changed billing programs to help our patients. The program seeks the use of insurance, if it is available, before anything is sent to a patient. This allows for the decrease of cost to the user and an increase of return through the insurance you pay for. It has worked well. Staff are graciously taking on multiple roles to maintain services for our citizens. What happens if we don’t get a tax increase? The uncertainty increases of how we are going to solidify necessary pieces to manage the drastic increase of explained costs. Balancing a budget will impose even greater challenges considering future increases of cost are unknown. Your ballot will read: Proposition: Maintenance of Essential EMS Services Shall the Audrain Ambulance District be permitted to increase its authorized tax levy by 30 cents per one hundred dollars assessed valuation. This resulting new permitted tax rate shall still be subject to the mandatory 50% sales tax rollback formula in 321.552 RSMo and the Hancock Amendment rollback formula. Those in favor shall mark Yes, those opposed shall mark No. We are aware that everyone is fighting the same battle of cost increases. We appreciate you taking the time to read this. Together, we can get through this! Nothing in this article is designed to tell you how to vote and is provided for informational purposes only. We wish only that you be fully informed on this issue and that you exercise your right to vote. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the ambulance district at 573-581-1722. You can also send a question through our website at www.audrainambulance.com using the contact us tab. Thank you for your time and stay safe! Audrain Ambulance District |