Village, township need ambulance tax

On Tuesday, registered voters will have the opportunity to join me in supporting a referendum to establish a tax rate for ambulance services in the village of Antioch and in Antioch Township.

The question asks for the establishment of a tax rate of .0025 (times the Equalized Assessed Value) to provide a sustainable funding source for this service.

In years past the service was provided by an entirely volunteer force and more recently by a combination of volunteers and contracted ambulance services. The combined population of the village and the township has grown slightly more that 36 percent over the past 35 years.

This increase coincides with an increased number of fire and ambulance calls. In the year just ended, there were 2,800 fire and ambulance calls, combined in the village and atownship. Of these, 2,000 were ambulance calls.

While there is a fire protection district serving the township, with a chief, a board, and a line item for fire protection in the village, no such revenue stream exists for ambulance services. Currently, users are billed for the service, and even if the referendum passes, billing will continue, but for a smaller portion of the total.

Although I can think of no one in favor of any type of tax being added, this one represents an addition that fosters safe and secure neighborhoods. Since minutes count, having high quality emergency medical technicians at the ready, is also comforting to those of us who are a little older as well.

Neighboring village have already established this tax based revenue stream, which will generate additional revenue as new homes and properties come on to the tax rolls. Be sure to vote 'yes' in support of ambulance services for Antioch Township and the village of Antioch.

James Menzer

Antioch