Marshall County residents will head to the polls on Nov. 3 to vote on a proposed permanent sales tax that would raise half a cent for every dollar spent. The tax is intended to fund a $7 million bond to expand the county’s emergency medical services (EMS) infrastructure.

What the measure would fund

Currently, the county operates a single EMS station. According to EMS Director Cade Webb, growth in the area has stretched response capabilities, resulting in an average call time of 57 minutes. The proposed tax would allow the county to add two additional stations and a third crew, with the goal of achieving a 10‑minute response time county‑wide.

Webb explained, “We’re hoping that the sales tax will pass to help fund us better and help us grow bigger and better.” He added that the new stations would reduce “dead time” when no ambulance is available and eliminate balance‑billing residents. Under the new system, the county would bill insurance providers, Medicare and Medicaid directly, rather than sending individual bills to residents.

Financial details

The tax would be a permanent half‑cent sales tax, meaning taxpayers would pay an additional $0.005 for every dollar spent on taxable goods. Revenue from the tax would be used to pay off the $7 million bond that would finance the construction of the new stations and purchase of equipment.

Webb emphasized the urgency of the measure, stating, “That way, we can go ahead and act now and get the stations going, get everything built, be ready for the future.” The bond would be issued immediately upon voter approval, allowing the county to begin construction without delay.

Community impact

Faster EMS response times are expected to improve outcomes for residents in medical emergencies, especially in rural parts of the county where distances to the existing station are greatest. Reducing the average response time from 57 minutes to the targeted 10 minutes could be life‑saving in critical situations.

In addition to speed, the measure aims to relieve financial pressure on families. By shifting billing to insurers and government programs, the county hopes to prevent residents from receiving separate balance‑billing notices for emergency services.

What voters need to know

The ballot measure will appear on the Nov. 3 election ballot. Voters should consider the trade‑off between a modest increase in sales tax and the potential benefits of improved emergency medical coverage and reduced out‑of‑pocket costs.

County officials encourage residents to review the measure’s details, attend any upcoming information sessions, and cast an informed vote.

Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.