The votes are in — now it is up to the Franklin County Board to make the decision.
Members of the Franklin County Emergency Services met on Monday to make their recommendation to the county board.
Members unanimously approved a 3/4-cent increase in sales tax to support public safety and are leaving it up to the county board to decide when to place the referendum on the election ballot.
Gayla Sink said she had surveyed surrounding counties, saying sales tax rates in Franklin County are currently at 7.25 percent.
“Perry County is at 8.25 percent, Williamson County has an 8.50 percent sales tax, Jefferson County is at 7.34 percent and Hamilton County is at 6.25 percent on general merchandise purchases,” she said.
Sink said she had received an e-mail from West Frankfort Mayor Marion Presley. “He is in support of the committee’s recommendation,” she said.
Letters of support continue to trickle in from taxing bodies. Sink said more than 50 letters had been sent and six responses had been received. A letter from Benton Mayor Gary Kraft indicates a 3/4-cent increase is too much.
“While we agree that a sales tax referendum is probably the only way to raise the money needed, we also feel that a 3/4 cent tax is too much,” he wrote. “If we increase to a total of 8 percent, we will be almost equal to surrounding counties and will lose our edge with people spending in this county. In addition, this leaves no room for other emergency situations. We feel that a 1/4 to 1/2 cent increase would be sufficient.”
Goode Township Supervisor William E. Crocker said township board members are in favor of the sales tax referendum.
“After lengthy discussion, the Goode Township Board of Trustees unanimously was in favor of a sales tax to fund this service,” he wrote. “The Board did not make a recommendation as to whether this should be a county operated or a subsidized private ambulance service. They were neutral about the requirement of a co-pay.”
Sesser-Valier Community Unit School Dist. 196 Superintendent Jason D. Henry applauds county board and ambulance service committee members.
“As a school district housing over 800 adults and children each school day and hosting over 100 extracurricular events each school year, we have been bluntly reminded from time to time of our county’s need for improved ambulance service,” he wrote. While our local first responders have provided excellent, quick assistance in emergent and stressful situations, ambulance transport of students and/or adults to a medical facility has been untimely.”
