To the Editor:
I am writing to express my concerns about the upcoming proposal for Lincoln County to form an Emergency Medical Service District, funded by a recurring ad valorem tax of three mills on the dollar of assessed property valuation.
While ensuring reliable ambulance services is critical, I believe this approach places an unfair burden solely on property owners.
This proposal, if passed, will disproportionately impact property owners by raising their taxes. Property owners will bear the full cost of the proposed district, while those who do not own property would benefit from the service without contributing. Many ambulance providers already offer subscription services, which allow residents who need and want these services to support them directly.
Creating a new tax that affects only a subset of county residents does not seem like the best approach. I urge voters to carefully consider whether this method of funding is truly equitable and to explore alternative solutions that spread the cost more fairly across all who will benefit.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my concerns. Sincerely, Donald Ohse, Rural Wellston