McPherson County commissioners approve placing 0.5% EMS sales tax on November ballot

McPherson County commissioners on Aug. 18 voted to place a one‑half percent countywide retailer sales tax for emergency medical services on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot, with collections to begin April 1, 2026, if approved and a five‑year sunset.
The resolution directs that proceeds be used “to finance the cost of acquiring, constructing, equipping, and furnishing certain alterations, modifications, and improvement to their capital equipment and facilities” and “to support the general operating expenses” of the named EMS recipients. The ballot proposition specifies distribution of proceeds: 49% to McPherson City, 18% to Lindsborg, 15% to Moundridge, 10% to Rural Fire District No. 1 ambulance and 8% to Rural Fire District No. 2 ambulance.
The board cited current county spending on ambulance services of roughly $849,815 and estimated 2026 sales‑tax receipts near $4 million; those numbers were presented during the discussion. County staff told the board an approximate 1.5‑mill reduction in the county levy would offset the county’s portion of ambulance funding beginning in 2027; changes to city or rural taxing entities’ mill levies would be decisions for those governing bodies.
Commissioners framed the referendum as a way to stabilize ambulance funding while reducing property tax mill levies for county taxpayers. “I think it's good to put it in the public's hands and let them make a decision,” one commissioner said during the meeting. Another commissioner noted the measure sunsets in five years, which will allow recipients and voters to evaluate service and revenue and decide whether to continue.
The board read the resolution into the record and called for the question election to be held on Nov. 4, 2025. The resolution cites KSA 12‑187 as the statutory authority to submit a county retailer’s sales tax question to voters. The board approved the resolution by recorded vote: Chairman Becker, Commissioner Keiser and Commissioner Dowell all voted aye. The resolution becomes effective upon adoption and directs the county clerk and county election officer to follow statutory notice and ballot procedures.
Local officials who participated in prior allocation discussions told the board they had negotiated percentages and that some cities expect to reduce their mill levies if the sales tax is approved; however, the resolution does not bind other taxing entities to any mill‑levy action.
If voters approve the sales tax in November, collection would begin April 1, 2026, and expire five years after commencement, with all proceeds applied solely to the EMS purposes identified in the resolution.