NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County voters gave the nod to an additional 1/4-cent sales tax to help fund ambulance services across the county.
With 321 yes votes and 268 no votes cast in Tuesday's election according to unofficial results, the proposal to provide an additional 1/4-cent sales tax for the New Madrid County Ambulance District was approved. A simple majority was needed.
The Ambulance District already receives funding from a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2006. The additional tax will provide the District with a total of a 1/2-cent sales tax funding when implemented.
However, for a while it seemed like resuscitation services may be needed for election equipment to determine the outcome. Approximately a half-hour before polls were set to close, several precincts in the county experienced a power outage.
New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens said when the power went out at the Big Prairie 1 and 2 Precinct, which is where Matthews residents cast their ballots, and Big Prairie 3, the rural Matthews voting precinct, the electronic tabulating machines shut down and could not be properly brought back online. As a result, election officials had to hand count the ballots to arrive at the final total.
Although it took a couple of hours after the polls closed to determine the outcome, Ralph Barnwell, a member of the Ambulance District Board, said he was very pleased with voters' support of the sales tax hike.
"We knew we were going to have a hard time when we talked about taxes increasing," Barnwell said. "I think there were a few people who didn't realize the property tax will remain zero for any kind of ambulance (funding). We are very pleased with the outcome.
We are going to be very frugal with the additional money and spend it where it is only needed."
Jon Burden, New Madrid County Ambulance District director, added his thanks to voters for supporting the effort to improve the ambulance service.
"Our primary goal is to provide patient care with the best and most up-to-date equipment," he said. "This sales tax increase will help New Madrid County Ambulance District accomplish this goal."