People who have been wanting to make their voices heard on a sales tax to establish and operate emergency healthcare in our community will soon have their chance.
The Bourbon County Commission will have an election on May 14 for voters to decide.
“It was suggested months ago to put the matter of a healthcare sales tax on the ballot when the subject of subsidizing an emergency room, due to Ascension Via Christi closing the emergency room, was first announced,” said Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.
To view the press release of the closure:
December 20: Ascension Via Christi Closes Emergency Department in Fort Scott
“(Bourbon County Counselor)Justin Meeks and Charles Gentry have been working for the last month or so revising the question language at the direction of the Commission,” she said. “Charles Gentry is a retired local attorney who attended the commission meetings regarding putting a question on the ballot and offered to help with the healthcare sales tax question language. The commissioners agreed to allow Mr. Gentry to work with County Counselor Meeks with creating and ultimately finalizing the wording of the ballot question.”
At the March 11, 2024 meeting of the Bourbon County Commission, Commissioner Clifton Beth made a motion to approve a community vote on the idea.
“The original question asked for a one-half cent sales tax, but Clifton made a motion to approve the question changing it to a one-quarter cent sales tax and it was approved by all three Commissioners,” Hawkins said. “The purpose of the sales tax is to be used as needed for the establishment and operation of an Emergency Department in Bourbon County.”
The election will be held on May 14, 2024.
At the next commission meeting, Hawkins will present costs associated with operating early voting and ask the commissioners if they want to fund early voting or want a one-day election, she said.
Here is the wording of the question that will be asked of Bourbon County residents:
Shall the following be adopted?
Bourbon County shall adopt a one-quarter cent retail sales tax effective October 1, 2024, and continuing for 5 years. Said tax shall be used as needed for establishment and operation of an Emergency Department in Bourbon County. Upon termination, remaining tax funds shall be used for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and/or property tax reduction as determined by the Bourbon County Commissioners.
Yes
No