Calhoun County Emergency Medical Services is again taking to the ballot this upcoming November election, asking for residents to vote for the county to levy the essential service tax. It was back in 2022 when Calhoun County EMS attempted to pass an essential service status, but failed to gain majority votes. Director of Calhoun County EMS Bruce Musgrave says that was before he was hired on and says much as changed over the past three years, which included rebuilding relationships with the communities they served, decreasing response times and hiring additional staffing to serve the three stations.
Not only are ambulances starting to be outdated, but also some of the medical equipment inside is also showing its age. Musgrave says their funding right now relies solely on the Calhoun County Board of Supervisor’s budget and it wasn’t in the funding to purchase a new vehicle or equipment. Musgrave says that is where this essential tax will be the most beneficial.
Musgrave says Calhoun County EMS is asking for taxpayers to add up to 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed taxable valuation to their property taxes for a period of 15 years that would go directly to the organization to providing funding for the three stations, plus the volunteer services in Lohrville, Farnhamville and the volunteer responders out of Pomeroy. He says two more town halls are scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Farnhamville Fire Station and on Wednesday at the Lohrville Fire Station both at 6 p.m.
Musgrave says the revenue brought in from this levy would be used to just to pay for new equipment, vehicles and keep operations running, that Calhoun County EMS would not be banking the funding. He encourages all voters to get informed and to get out to vote when the time comes.
The number for the station is 712-297-8619. Again, Calhoun County EMS is asking for voters to consider the essential service tax this upcoming election.
