Voters to decide ACH future in November election
| What the agreement says – Allen Countians will vote Nov. 10 on a special question to authorize a countywide quarter-cent sales tax for “health care services,” to take over operation and replacement of Allen County Hospital. – The new hospital will be built within Iola, or near enough to be annexed. – Iola will dedicate one-quarter cent of its existing sales tax from January 2011 through December 2019 to supplement the county’s sales tax to support the borrowing of operating capital, estimated at $5 million. The city’s commitment will be capped at $350,000 annually. – Hospital revenues will be reviewed annually. If revenue and expense figures are favorable, the city’s contribution may be reduced the following year. – The city and county agree to a five-year moratorium on any changes to the current Emergency Medical Services (ambulance) Mutual Aid Agreement. A joint citizens review committee will study EMS service in Iola and Allen County. The committee will have three appointees each by the city and county who will determine strengths and weaknesses of the existing services and may make non-binding recommendations to improve efficiency. Any changes would require mutual agreement by Iola and Allen County. – If the sales tax vote fails, the commitment is voided. |
Allen County voters will make the key decision on Nov. 2 of whether construction of a new hospital will start soon.
Iola and county commissioners reached agreement on a local funding mechanism late Tuesday afternoon. The city pledged to make available up to $350,000 a year from proceeds of a half-cent capital improvements sales tax, which led county commissioners to schedule a referendum at the Nov. 2 general election on a countywide quarter-cent sales tax.
The two sources would provide $750,000 for 10 years to help pay for construction and equipping a new hospital, as well as provide money for operations.
The precise location of a new hospital, to replace the one in service since 1952, has yet to be identified, but in the pact with Iola the county agrees that it would be within Iola, or near enough to be annexed to the city. Being within the city gives infrastructure and utilities advantages.
“This is a good day for Allen County,” said County Commission Chairman Gary McIntosh.
That the two governing bodies were able to hammer out an agreement spoke well for the project and the spirit of cooperation, he said, and, “the odds are what we have done is right.”
THE AGREEMENT was fleshed out in large measure Monday afternoon in a meeting between City Commissioner Bill Shirley and County Commissioner Rob Francis, after city commissioners at a special meeting Thursday posed questions about some specifics. County commissioners were eager to reach accord to meet deadlines to have the issue before voters in early November.
A sticking point had been city versus county ambulance service and the county’s efforts to return it to one. County commissioners agreed to a five-year moratorium on any changes to the current emergency medical services mutual aid agreement, which dates to Sept. 23, 2008 and provides for the county to support Iola’s service with an annual payment of $80,000. The moratorium will be effective on Jan. 1, also when the countywide tax would take effect.
An adjunct to that part of the agreement is that a six-member citizens committee, with three members each appointed by the county and Iola, would determine strengths and weaknesses of the EMS system and make non-binding recommendations. Modification would require mutual agreement by the county and Iola.
