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October 20, 2009

Emergency services tax up for renewal Nov. 3

Appanoose County voters will decide whether to renew for another five years a 1 percent income tax surcharge that helps fund area emergency medical services on Nov. 3.

This is a county-wide election and Public measure A which asks the question of whether the county should continue to impose an income tax surtax for emergency medical service will appear on all city ballots and on a ballot in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Fifteen years ago, the 1 percent income tax surcharge was first approved by local voters for funding EMS services, specifically for training and equipment. Last year the surcharge generated $63,000.

Mercy Medical Center – Centerville receives the largest share of the funds to support the county-wide ambulance service. The rest of the funds are dispersed to other Appanoose County communities providing emergency medical service through volunteer services. This includes first responder units in Moulton, Moravia, Mystic, Unionville, Southern Appanoose, Appanoose County Water Rescue and Seymour.

According to the 1997 Iowa individual income tax statistics report, the average tax payer in Appanoose County pays $931 in state income tax. For this amount, the 1 percent surtax would add $9.31 to the total of state income tax paid — less than three cents a day for EMS services.

Brenda Hoffman, president of the Appanoose County EMS Services, said the volunteer services depend on these funds. “We do not charge for calls in our service areas and this surtax provides the sole funding for our supplies, equipment and operating expense,” she stated.

Funds from the surtax have assisted Mercy Medical Center with the purchase of new ambulances over the years. The cost of a new ambulance alone is $128,000. According to hospital officials, the Mercy ambulance service loses an average of $184,000 a year operating the service.

“For the past 15 years, income from the surtax has not only assisted the hospital ambulance service but has benefited all First Responder groups throughout the county who until that time were supported strictly through donations and fundraisers, “ says a written statement from the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors. "The Appanoose County Board of Supervisors supports this measure as an economical solution to providing quality, county-wide ambulance and first responder emergency medical services.”

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This week the Iowegian wants readers to think about the recent decision by the Centerville Municipal Waterworks Board of Directors to increase the fee for late payment of water bills. In a story published in Wednesday's Ad Express, board members announced a 10 percent late fee after two days late, a $50 red tag fee for accounts unpaid after seven days late and a $25 shut off fee, water service terminated after two weeks late. The board said the decision to increase the fees associated with late payment is to encourage customers to pay their bills on time. So, the question this week is, "Are these fees too much to ask for?"

A. Yes, they are.
B. No, they are not.
C. I'm not affected so I don't care.
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