Voters to decide on emergency services future

Falls County residents will decide on several issues on May 6 including the fate of emergency services in the county.

In Marlin, city residents will decide on a mayor and two council members along with a special election for Proposition A to fund an Economic Development Corporation. 

In the mayoral election incumbent Carolyn R. Lofton will face Susan R. Byrd. In Precinct 5, Cecil Sparks will not face a challenger. In precinct 3, Debra A. Levels-McDavid will also face no challenger.

The proposition will lower the current ½ of one percent sales and use tax to ¼ of one percent to fund a Type B EDC which can fund projects eligible under certain circumstances.

The Marlin Economic Development Corporation is a not-for-profit company. 

On your ballot you will see the yes or no option. What this means is a yes vote will give the EDC funds from the Marlin city sales tax revenue that the city receives from the state. The city is refunded 1.5 percent of the total they give the state each year. The EDC is asking for 1/4 percent of that to fund the EDC. 

If this measure passes, Marlin will receive one and a quarter percent of the refund and the EDC will receive one quarter of the refund. The EDC is a seven-member volunteer staff that is working for the benefit of Marlin.

Election day voting will be at 101 Fortune Street in Marlin from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

County voters will see a proposition for Emergency Services District 1, 2 and 3 to authorize an increase in the maximum ad valorem ta rate that the districts may impose on property within the district to a rate not to exceed 10 cents per $100 valuation. The current tax rate is less than 3 cents per $100 valuation.

Currently the ESD’s collect .03 per $100 evaluation. This does not generate enough money to keep the Ambulance Service around and the ESD’s need to generate more money to ensure that an ambulance remains in the county. 

The proposition is to put a maximum cap of .10 per $100 evaluation. This would be a gradual increase over years to come.

What happens if this proposal does not pass? The county will loose its ambulance service as we know it. 

Currently the ESD’s were able to keep one ambulance in the county for $400,000 per year. Their funds will be greatly diminished (if not all) by early 2024, if they do not get an increase to pay for the service. 

If the county was to loose the service, the Volunteer Fire Departments will no longer be able to respond to medical emergencies, without an ambulance service, because the county does not have the financial resources, trained personnel or backing from a medical director to do so. 

Taxes collected for the Emergency Services District do not financially sustain the Volunteer Fire Departments in the county. Fire Department resources depend on individual contributions, fundraisers and grants.

On Election Day, May 6, Emergency Services District 1 voting locations are: 101, 102 and 103 - Methodist Church , 411 Coleman Street in Marlin; 201, 202 and 203 - BTW Alumni, 216 Falls Street, Marlin.

On Election Day, May 6, Emergency Services District 2 voting locations are: 401, 402 and 403 – Chilton VFD, 2589 State Hwy 7, Chilton.

On Election Day, May 6, Emergency Services District 3 voting locations are: 301, 302 and 303 - D Brown Library, 203 N 2nd Street, Rosebud.

There is also a $14 million bond issue in Chilton ISD. 

This will include an increase to the district’s I&S tax rate of $0.2961 cents per $100 valuation. Projects will be funded based on new valuations and growth within the district.

The district’s 2023 bond package includes: safety and security upgrades to the Primary as well as the Secondary campus; renovations to the Primary school including to restrooms, classrooms, common areas, and the library; adding classroom space to the existing high school to allow for removal of the existing portable classrooms to enhance safety and security; upgrades to the existing Ag Shop; an expanded and renovated cafetorium; a new band hall with storage space; added locker rooms and weight room to the existing gym; and updated playgrounds.

Election day voting is at the Chilton VFD building from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.