Buchanan County Commissioners met Monday to decide how they’ll provide ambulance service once Heartland discontinues its service next year. Presiding Commissioner R.T. Turner says they’ve decided to pursue the purchase of the entire service from Heartland, and operate the non-profit corporation with the help of a half-cent sales tax.

That could mean a seamless transition between the two services.

Within the next day, the commissioners must decide on the final ballot language. To be placed on the November ballot, the County Clerk must receive the formal proposal by the close of business Tuesday.

Turner says state law limits them to a one-half cent sales tax increase, but he hopes to bring in the proposal for less than that. He hopes commissioners can agree on the ballot language during the course of their administrative duties on Tuesday morning.

This was the proposal recommended by the CARE committee appointed by the county to study the matter. That committee will remain in place to decide how and when to begin campaigning for passage of the ballot ordinance.

If the measure passes in November, Turner says the commission will appoint new members to the board. After that, the service will become a free-standing part of county government, with its own budget, its own employees, and its own board of directors. The commission would provide final approval for the board’s activities, and the county auditor and treasurer would manage the funds collected via the sales tax.

Turner says the new organization would provide ambulance service to most of Buchanan County, with the exception of those areas in the eastern part of the county already served by the Tri-County Ambulance District.

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