Lincoln County Commissioners this week decided to hold off on calling for a special election on a possible new sales tax for countywide ambulance service and a new jail.
After discussing the issue for nearly two hours among themselves and others in attendance, they voted to call a special meeting for 9 a.m. next Monday, March 29.
The commissioners have been discussing for a few months the issue of constructing a new jail and a new countywide ambulance service.
Most recently they’ve had financial experts attending their meetings to determine what it would take to fund those. The experts have recommended a county sales tax issue as opposed to an ad valorem tax bond and have suggested a three-fourths of one percent (¾ cent) sales tax.
It was brought out during Monday’s meeting that the ¾ cent sales tax would generate nearly $2 million annually. It was noted that one quarter cent of that would be needed to pay the principal and interest for a new jail and there would be around $1.2 million a year available after the debt service for a countywide ambulance service.
The item on Monday’s agenda called for discussion and possible action on a resolution calling for the election to be held on June 8 of this year.
The proposal read that it would be for county public safety purposes and would include providing enhanced ambulance and emergency response services for the county and also for designing, acquiring, constructing, equipping, furnishing and maintaining a new county detention center.
It further states that one-fourth CA cent) would terminate at 30 years from the effective date of the tax or at the retirement of any debt incurred, whichever occurs first.
The other ½ cent remaining would remain in effect perpetually for ambulance and emergency response services for the county.
The majority of the discussion centered around the countywide ambulance service and District 2 Commissioner Marlon Miller aired several of his concerns along with asking questions.
He asked Chandler Fire Chief Billy Buchannon what his budget was to run his ambulance service. The chief responded his budget was $1 million annually.
Replying to another question from Miller about how many ambulances will be needed to run a countywide service, he answered, “A minimum of at least five.”
Miller emphasized, “I don’t want taxpayers to think it’s going to be totally funded. I know we need it, but I don’t think we’re ready to take it to the voters. We know what it’s costing Chandler,” he added.
The District 2 commissioner also asked the Chandler chief how many of his calls were outside the city limits, and the chief responded,”80 percent are outside of Chandler.”
Miller said, “I think we need a better plan before taking it to the people. The perception is it’s a countywide ambulance service and there is not enough money to pay for it. We need to tell the people exactly what it is,” he believes.
“The public’s perception is they’re going to have more than they have now and that’s not right,” he stated.
Commission Chairman Lee Doolen said, “My vision is to have an ambulance board.” That turned the discussion to who would serve on the board.
There was discussion about some of the people who might be asked to serve from various entities. With that, they began asking some of those people who were attending either in-person or virtually.
They decided to hold off calling the election, agreeing to call the special meeting next Monday and having those people attend the meeting as well.
It was also mentioned that if the commissioners didn’t call the election for June 8, they could call it for July 13.
Prior to the commissioners’ meeting beginning, a public hearing was held to discuss and receive input from the public on an application for a Community Development Block Grant for fire equipment for the Arlington Fire Department.
Paul Simpson, rural fire defense coordinator for the Central Economic Development District, said prior to the meeting the grant is for $150,000 to allow Arlington FD to purchase two brush trucks.
Later in the meeting, commissioners adopted a CDBG Revitalization grant application resolution.
They also approved a Citizen Participation Plan, disclosure, leverage document, certification and other related documents, along with a Fair Housing Proclamation for Lincoln County.
In other business commissioners:
Took no action on awarding bids for two new motor graders.
Approved a detention services agreement between the Sac and Fox Nation and Lincoln County.
Voted to begin the bid process for county owned property at Lot 13 Pecan Meadows in District 2.
Approved a declaration of surplus for the Sheriff’s office.
Adopted resolutions for disposing of equipment for the County Clerk’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office.
Approved a resolution to reimburse the inmate medical expense account for overpayment to Stroud Regional Medical Center.
Commissioners took no action:
Purchasing real estate.
On approving a lease agreement to become effective July 1, 2021 for property for the purpose of maintaining a radio tower.
An agreement between the County Health Department and Falco Alarm Systems.