VCAD tax proposal again to be on the ballot for voter approval in April

By Steve Moyer

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- Vernon County voters will be asked to approve two one-half-cent sales taxes in April. The Vernon County Commissioners will be seeking funding for a what officials say is a desperately needed new jail and the Vernon County Ambulance District is seeking an increase to help pay for the increasing costs it faces.

The two entities have attempted to demonstrate the need for the money separately in the past, but voters haven't been convinced and both attempts to secure funding failed. This time, both measures will be on the ballot at the same time, and that has supporters of both fearing a measure that might pass on its own will be voted down because of it.

This possibility has supporters of both measures upset, some have been vocal about their displeasure.

"I've been told I'm making some important people angry," Vernon County Ambulance District Director James McKenzie. "I don't see why. We waited to put this on the ballot for a long time. We didn't do it to cause problems for the group trying to get the new jail, we did it because we couldn't wait any longer. The board looked at the options and this is what they decided."

McKenzie said he supports the need for a jail and would like both groups to work together to accomplish what both entities need.

"I think we need a new jail. I don't doubt that in the least," McKenzie said. "I just think we can get more accomplished working together than working at cross purposes."

McKenzie is proud of the employees the district has and said they do things beyond the scope of their duties many times. They often use their own equipment when working on projects for the ambulance district and volunteer their time on projects.

"We do everything we can to save money for the district," McKenzie said. "I'm proud of the fact everyone is so generous and does as much as they do. I think it speaks to their professionalism and dedication."

The recent storms kept the district busy with 96 calls from Jan. 12 to Jan. 22. McKenzie pointed out the expenses involved stretch resources and cost the district.

"We had four trucks out on six different occasions," McKenzie said. "We don't have storms every day, but we're there to help when bad things happen. You have to keep disasters like what happened in Stockton in mind and be prepared, That costs money."

McKenzie said one way the district would try to get faster response times to the extreme northeastern section of the county would be by stationing an ambulance in Schell City during really bad weather. Doing that would cost more but would make it safer for residents in that area of the county.

"Vernon County is pretty big and pretty rural," McKenzie said. "Because of the weather, response and on scene times were longer than normal. One thing we can do is station a unit in Schell City during bad weather."

McKenzie said in light of all the changes the district has undergone and all of the increased services it provides now, the increase is definitely needed.

"We are getting more calls than in the past and more people are needing more services," McKenzie said. "There's a limit to what we can do to cut costs and we've been doing what we can for years. What more could we do? Cut services? What services should we cut? Who is willing to be the person that dies because we can't get to them?"