Bourbon County voters approve sales tax for new ER
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — It was approved by Bourbon County voters last week, and is set to take effect on October 1.
“A great feeling. Of course, we’re really proud of our citizens here in Fort Scott, Bourbon County, that turn out the vote to be positive for an ER,” said Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commission Chair.
A one quarter cent retail sales tax — approved by voters — will be used to establish and operate an emergency department in and for the county.
“In a rural community where it’s so important to have you know at least a free standing ER to where you know people who I mean even if they don’t call an ambulance they have access to get immediate healthcare,” said Teri Hasley, Bourbon County EMS Director.
“We’re excited about this passing. We finally have a tool to sit down with providers and say we do have some funding, we know you’re going to lose money at first and hopefully going forward you won’t but now we have a tool we can sit down and negotiate them. Be a partner,” said Harris.
As we’ve reported in the past – the county hasn’t had emergency health care services since “Via Christi” closed its emergency department in Fort Scott in December.
Without an ER in the county the EMS transports individuals to the closest appropriate ER, based on their complaint.
“Our ER will save lives. We hope no one needs it. But I’ve talked to people who said that I didn’t have time to make it in Kansas City to this patient without a doctor here to save their lives and move forward. And so we’re excited about. What we’re getting ready to have,” said Harris.
“Be quicker treatment. You know, it would be it would benefit the community to have one here. It would be quicker treatment and a lot of them wouldn’t have to call an ambulance. You know, they might be able to get to the ER themselves,” said Hasley.
The sales tax will continue for five years – and is expected to generate $750,000.
“We do have some reserve money put back if we if the health care gets here quicker than what we think and we think we’ll have an announcement pretty quick on a provider. But we do have funds and the city has some funds to put back that helped them get started,” said Harris.
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