BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials agreed Thursday they need to build support for an ambulance funding plan, but delayed a decision on which plan.
The justices of the peace voted to keep two plans on the agenda for the June 26 meeting and to seek public opinion on which proposal to put to a vote in November. The court voted unanimously to have a public hearing date by the June 10 Committee of the Whole meeting and then to organize a series of town hall meetings.
"I think we're spinning our wheels if we elect to go forward without hearing from the public," said Brent Meyers of District 14.
One plan would create an ambulance service improvement district and impose a property tax increase of up to 0.2 mills. The increase would pay for emergency medical services and be collected from all residents. A 0.2-mill tax would raise about $900,000 a year from both personal property and real property. It was estimated a person with a $100,000 home would pay about $4 a year more in property tax.
The ordinance creating the district and imposing the tax was read for the first time Thursday. Any ballot measure has to be to the County Clerk's Office in August to meet the deadline for the November election. The Quorum Court typically reads ordinances at three meetings before adoption.
Siloam Springs officials have already expressed their opposition to the property tax proposal. The city's board approved a statement opposing the tax, a city official said.
"The City of Siloam Springs will not support a millage that affects our city residents financially," David Cameron, city administrator, said in a news release. "Siloam Springs residents have carried the burden of providing EMS coverage out in the county for many years and this proposal would essentially create a pass-through account for our citizens to continue funding EMS in the County. This is not the City's burden to share, this is the County's burden to bear."
Patrick Carr, justice of the peace for District 12 which includes part of Siloam Springs, said he had talked to 50 of his constituents, all of them city residents, and 49 told him they would vote for a millage proposal that would ensure ambulance service is available to them anywhere in the county. Carr said the county needs to make a decision to pursue the millage or drop the idea of a dedicated funding source and find the money in the budget.
"I'm tired of this 'My dog is dead' mentality," he said, referring to predictions the measure is certain to fail. ""We've got to fish or cut bait. If we aren't going to do it, then let's start cutting the budget for 2015."
The county has agreed to pay seven cities about $942,000 for rural ambulance service this year. The justices of the peace have agreed to continue the contracts with the cities in 2015.
The Quorum Court also kept alive an ordinance calling for a November election on a version of the plan rejected by voters, creating an emergency medical services district and an annual per-household fee.
Mike Crandall, accounting manager, told justices of the peace a $40 fee for residents in the district would bring in about $582,403. The district would exclude the area in the Northeast Benton County Fire Department's service area.
The ordinance creating the district and annual fee was also read once and left on the court's agenda for the June meeting. Tom Allen, justice of the peace for District 4, said he still thinks the revised fee plan is viable. He said the county has made changes in the plan in response to the opposition.
"There were many people who told us if we reduced this to $50 they would support it," he said. "Guess what? We're at $40. They also wanted the county to have some skin in the game and we've agreed the county will be paying a share of the cost. They wanted it to go to a vote and it's going to a vote in the general election where there should be an even bigger turnout. It may fall on its face. Nothing's perfect. But I do like this because we have responded to the people who voted in the special election. I think we should consider it, not just dismiss it."
The justices of the peace acknowledged the county will need to work to persuade voters, including city residents, to support a tax increase for rural ambulance service.
"What are the city residents going to say?" said Joel Jones of District 7. "They're going to say they're going to be taxed again for a service they're already paying for."
Kevin Harrison of District 5 said he has spoken to many city residents and gained their support by telling them they might not have service if they or a family member were involved in an accident outside the city.
"When I explain to them the situation, they say they'll support it," Harrison said. "They're paying to have the service available to them if they need it. Just like the cities have been telling our county residents."
Benton County's Quorum Court met Thursday and approved: A resolution expressing opposition to a proposed federal rule amending the definition of "Waters of the United States" Spending $293,776 to upgrade the security system in the jail. Appointing Lezlie Ford and Pam Underwood to the Equalization Board. Making district courts responsible for collecting fines in those courts. Amending the holiday pay and inclement weather pay policies. Spending $8,000 from the Historical Preservation Commission fund to move the Old Glades Post Office building Spending $45,000 in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Spending $2,500 from Walmart for child safety seats. Spending $9,845 in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Grant program. Spending $10,400 for mold removal in the Sheriff's Office administration building.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
General News on 05/28/2014