Critical condition for ambulance district?

Time is short and the hurdle is high. That is the reality for the effort to get a sales tax to support an ambulance district on the ballot in April.

As reported by the Democrat’s Emily Jarrett, the Campaign to Establish a Pettis County Ambulance District remains short of funds to get the proposal before voters; the measure would seek voter authorization to establish the district with a sales tax of up to one-half of 1 percent. During Thursday morning’s Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce A.M. Exchange event, campaign treasurer John Fritz said the effort still needs $6,000.

We have used this space in the past to endorse creation of an ambulance district to help cover the $100,000 to $120,000 funding gap that has been caused by increasing health care costs and decreasing Medicare reimbursements. We’re not alone — other entities that support the effort include Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County, Bothwell Regional Health Center, Katy Trail Community Health and the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce. Like us, they see this as a quality of life issue, as failure to create the district could result in the need to contract for lower levels of service.

But the real question before our community now is: “Do voters deserve a chance to have their say on whether to establish the taxing district?”On Thursday, Fritz joked that the $11,700 total to get the question on the ballot is “the price of democracy.” If you believe it is a price worth paying, you need to act now.

Those interested in donating to the campaign can call 473-1755, mail a contribution to Campaign to Establish the Pettis County Ambulance District, John Fritz Treasurer, 1316 W. 32nd St., Sedalia, MO 65301, or go to sayyestoems.com.