Dear Editor:
This letter is being written to address the two propositions being put forth to Lincoln County voters on July 13, 2021.
Proposition One on the ballot calls for the formation of an Emergency Medical District to be funded by a recurring (or permanent) countywide property tax. From what I’ve read, there is not much detail given as to the district’s organization other than an appointed five to seven member oversight board. It appears that the county’s intention is to farm out emergency services to private companies while monitoring their operations. However, if these companies quit or go out of business then the county may have to step in and take over, which in the long run could prove quite costly again to the taxpayers.
Right now, in Meeker, we have ambulance services provided by REACT from Shawnee. We only get billed and pay for this service when needed, so why would I want to put an additional tax forever on my property in Lincoln County for the same service? The kicker is I would also be billed by the service here if I ever needed an ambulance. This would be a lose-lose situation for those in the county who have access to an ambulance service now.
Proposition Two seeks approval for a 30 year property tax to pay for the construction of a new $13.5 million dollar jail. The current jail has a capacity for 80 inmates and the new proposed one would hold 151. This would be an increase in capacity of 89 percent.
From all indications it appears that the sheriff’s plan is to build a 101 bed jail for county inmates, while also adding 50 more beds to house prisoners for federal authorities. The Feds will pay the county $64 a day boarding fee for each one housed, which saves them money because since 2017 it has cost at least $99.45 per day to keep them in their own facilities. However, what happens in the future if federal authorities stop using the county jail? If that should occur then the additional operating costs incurred by the county could be anywhere between 33 and 50 percent.
If approved and built the county portion of the new jail could be full on day one since the sheriff is currently holding 100 or more local inmates on any given day. Would any overflow from the county be placed in those beds which are earmarked for the Feds?
I am not saying how to vote on this proposition as there are still many unanswered questions. However, I know how I will vote, and I hope this letter helps others when it comes to their decision.
A.L. Ward
Meeker