Editors note: numbers have been updated to correctly match taxpayers potential tax amount, and more information is provided on what requires this measure to pass.
The Calhoun County Emergency Medical Services is encouraging the public to join the town hall meeting to learn more about the EMS Essential Service Tax and how it would continue to financially support all ambulance services in the surrounding communities. By deeming Calhoun County EMS an “essential service”, residents in the county would be charged an additional levy with that tax dollars going directly to the organization for education, purchases and maintenance of equipment, and more. Calhoun County residents could not be levied higher than 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed taxable valuation. The median home in Calhoun County, according to Census.gov, has a property assessed value of $114,000, which would equate to an additional tax of less than $40 per year, due to rollbacks for a property valued at $114,000. At the meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) night, Calhoun County EMS staff will present reasoning behind the proposed levy, and answer any questions that community members may have. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Lake City Memorial Building and everyone is encouraged to attend. The vote will appear on the Nov. ballot and require a 60 percent super majority vote to pass.
