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.”

Sink said she had received a phone call from Benton Consolidated High School Superintendent Kelly Stewart.

“Kelly is also in favor of the public safety tax referendum,” she said. Committee member Harry Stewart said his daughter is concerned about raising money for the school district but realizes the importance of an ambulance service.

Hervey Davis reminded members of the pending court date. “Clay Hobbs court date is Thursday, Aug. 21,” he said. “He has several charges against him.”

Tom Jordan, court-appointed director of Mercy Regional Emergency Health Services, said the ambulance service is struggling but is paying its bills and meeting payroll.

“We are living off the contract we have with the VA Medical Center,” he said. “Due to the court case, we have not received money from Medicare since May.”

Dave Dobill stuck by his original recommendation.

“I think we should ask for a 3/4 cent increase in sales tax for a public safety tax and believe this should be placed on the April 2009 election ballot,” he said.

Davis agreed; saying he fears if the question is placed on the November ballot it would fail.

“We need to make a presentation to each of the 50-plus taxing bodies,” he said. “If the county board votes to place this on the November ballot, I don’t think we have enough time to make presentations. We learned from the Saline County board’s presentation that their public safety tax to support their sheriff’s department failed the first two times because the public was not adequately informed.”

County board members meet at 5 p.m. today for committee meetings and are expected to vote on the recommendation during Tuesday’s regular board meeting.