Lincoln County voters in Tuesday’s General Election decided in favor of creating an Emergency Medical Service District to help provide more widespread ambulance service throughout the county.
Unofficial vote totals show 9,107 or 59.59 percent of those voting favored the proposition to 6,176 who were opposed.
The Emergency Medical Service District would be funded by a recurring three mill ad valorem tax placed on all taxable property within the county beginning in the 2025 tax year.
Supporters of the proposition believed putting it on the ballot in Tuesday’s General Election would help ensure maximum voter participation.
District 3 Commissioner Lee Doolen, who is chairman of the commissioners, has stated it’s estimated the tax will create about $1.8 million annually for the county.
The tax funds generated are intended to provide funds to support, organize, operate, maintain and finance the emergency medical service district.
Three mills was the maximum that could be voted for a 522 Ambulance District.
He previously pointed out, “By law, we can only spend 90 percent of that amount. Ten percent must go into a reserve fund for the following year.”
In some areas of the county, like Meeker and southwest portions, someone who needs an ambulance must wait 20 to 30 minutes or longer before it arrives.
A county board would be set up by state statute to oversee and serve as administrator of the 522 district. That would help ensure there is no misuse of taxpayer dollars.
In Pottawatomie County, House District 26 State Rep. Dell Kerbs won a new two-year term in defeating newcomer Kerri Keck.