VCAD seeks new sales tax

By Steve Moyer

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- Vernon County Ambulance District Director James McKenzie has heard a lot of questions about the proposed sales tax question to fund the ambulance district, on the November ballot. He says the numbers speak for themselves.

"Workers' Comp is up more than 300 percent," higher than just a few years ago, McKenzie said. "It went from $9,700 in 2001 to $39,297 now. Fuel went from $10,000 then to $26,000 now. Health insurance went from $37,000 to $64,000. All together expenses have increased $148,000. That's $148,000 that just vanished. We can watch some expenses and cut back on them, but not that much. Eventually you have to cut services if the money isn't there."

Currently the district receives money from two sources; property tax and ambulance runs.

"Right now the property tax and trip revenue is stagnant," McKenzie said. "We try to make what we have go as far as possible but at some point you have to make an adjustment."

McKenzie said the district has had the authority to put a sales tax question on the ballot since 2003 and has been considering it since 2004 but put it off to give ballot measures other taxing authorities were offering a better chance of passing.

"We've waited two years to put this on the ballot," McKenzie said. "We've waited on the city and we've waited on the county. It's time has come, we just can't wait forever."

McKenzie said that the district has purchased ambulances in the past two years but still needed to replace some of the older units.

"Even though we were able to lease-purchase a new unit last year and bought one and refurbished it the year before we still have two '94 units and a '97," McKenzie said. "That impacts vehicle maintenance, it costs more to run an older unit."

The sales tax would also have an impact on the first responders in rural areas of the county.

"It's still 25 minutes to Schell City," McKenzie said. "With a first responder, it gives you a faster response and the person can be ready to go when the ambulance does arrive."

McKenzie said the district would not charge for trips in the ambulances if it were feasible but it needs the funds the fees bring in to operate.

"If the taxes were enough to pay the districts expenses we wouldn't be having this discussion," McKenzie said. "They aren't, so we have to get funds from somewhere."

Another reason the district is looking to a sales tax for possible funding is the federal government's decision to cut Medicare reimbursement.

"They're going to cut back on what we get, and it's not that much now," McKenzie said. "On our BLS runs we charge $321.75 and Medicaid pays a flat $80. On our advanced runs, with a paramedic on board, we charge $413.03, and Medicaid pays $152. If the government wouldn't cut Medicare, we could probably do without this."

McKenzie feels the sales tax is a fair and reasonable way to raise funds.

"The property tax would be cut, so that's $300,000 going back into the economy and the sales tax will be shared with visitors and tourists. Let's share this with everyone," McKenzie said. "A half a cent tax is as fair as you can find."