Many folks have been asking why the County Board seemingly rejected the Deaconess proposal to purchase the Ambulance. White County Clerk Paula Dozier hoped to clarify the situation with a facebook post over the weekend. She says, in actuality, Deaconess withdrew their proposal.
The medical facility had proposed taking over the service including the ambulances, new equipment to include heart monitors, electronic cots, the fees the service would earn as well as a more than quarter of a million dollar per year subsidy for two ambulances.
According to Dozier, once the board began discussing a sales tax referendum to either support the existing ambulance service or fund the subsidy, Deaconess withdrew their proposal.
There will be a referendum on the November ballot for White County voters to consider. The ½ percent sales tax would help fund the ambulance service through a public safety tax. Proponents say it would amount to 50 cents on every $100 spent and argue it’s better for property owners because everyone making purchases in the county would help fund it rather than simply those who live in the county.
