The Daily Herald recently covered a story on the failed ballot initiative for an ambulance tax in Antioch. Here's a summary of what happened: Voters in Antioch rejected the proposal to establish a property tax aimed at funding ambulance services, leaving local officials scrambling to figure out their next steps. Although immediate changes might not be on the horizon, the possibility of service reductions—resulting in slower response times—is looming over the coming weeks and months. As village leaders and the First Fire Protection District explore alternative solutions to maintain current operations, another critical question arises: Should residents be asked to vote again on this issue next spring? With a staggering $2.7 million annual budget, finding sustainable financial support remains a significant challenge. "It's quite unusual for Antioch to rely entirely on non-tax-based funding for such essential services," noted Village Administrator James Keim. "This is now something the governing bodies will have to address directly, and it’s clear that many people don’t fully grasp the implications." The measure, if passed, would have generated approximately $1.5 million in its first year, adding roughly $835 annually to the tax bill of a homeowner with a $100,000 property value. Unofficial tallies indicate that the vote was close but ultimately unsuccessful, with the measure receiving 2,139 'no' votes compared to 1,925 'yes' votes within the village and 2,018 'no' votes versus 1,417 'yes' votes in the township. For nearly eight decades, Antioch relied on the Antioch Rescue Squad—a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization—to handle ambulance services. However, this arrangement came to an end in May when the Antioch Fire Protection District opted not to renew its contract and instead integrated these responsibilities into the broader scope of the Antioch Fire Department. Currently, the fire department operates with part-time staff and outsources paramedic duties. Their shared resources include three stations and equipment, which are financed partly through the village’s general fund and partly from the fire protection district’s reserves. While both entities can levy taxes for firefighting activities, securing funds specifically for emergency medical services requires explicit voter consent, which wasn’t granted this time around. Efforts were underway to enhance operational efficiency at the third fire station, aiming to ensure three fully staffed locations across a 36-square-mile region. Unfortunately, these plans could face setbacks due to the recent outcome. Village finances are stretched thin, making it increasingly difficult to sustain existing levels of service delivery. Thanks for sharing, Dan! Stock Bags,Stock Bag Depot,Building Material Bags,Bag Stock Available Zhejiang Changying Plastic Packaging Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.cyfibc.com