The Daily Herald recently featured an article on the ballot initiative for an ambulance tax in Antioch. The proposal aimed to raise funds to support emergency medical services, but it was rejected by voters on Tuesday. This outcome has left officials from both Antioch and Antioch Township puzzled about their next steps. Citizens in Antioch voted down the ballot questions intended to establish a property tax for ambulance services, leaving local leaders searching for answers. While immediate drastic changes aren't anticipated, potential service reductions leading to slower response times could emerge in the near future as village and fire district administrators consider ways to keep operations running smoothly. Another pressing issue is whether voters will be asked to reconsider the tax proposal in the upcoming spring elections, given the significant financial strain posed by a $2.7 million annual budget. "It's quite unusual for Antioch to have relied solely on non-tax-based funding for such a core service," remarked Village Administrator James Keim. "This is now something that the existing governing bodies must address, and it's clear that there's a substantial gap in funding. This reality isn't easy to grasp." Unofficial tallies indicate that voters in both the village and Antioch Township rejected the measure, with a margin of 2,139 to 1,925 in the village and 2,018 to 1,417 in the township. Since 1938, Antioch's ambulance services have been managed by the Antioch Rescue Squad, a nonprofit organization funded through fees and donations. However, this arrangement shifted in May when the Antioch Fire Protection District chose not to renew its contract and instead opted to integrate ambulance services into the Antioch Fire Department. Currently, the Antioch Fire Department employs part-time paid-on-call firefighters and outsources paramedic services. The department operates out of three stations, sharing equipment with the fire protection district. Funding is split between the village’s general fund, which supports various daily operations, and the fire district’s cash reserves. Although both entities can levy taxes for firefighting activities, they require voter approval to impose taxes for emergency medical services, which ultimately led to the failure of these proposals, explained Antioch Fire Chief John Nixon. Efforts to enhance response times by expanding operations at the third fire station were underway, with plans to establish three fully staffed stations covering a 36-square-mile region. However, sustaining this expansion may prove challenging moving forward. Village finances are currently in a precarious position, with revenues insufficient to maintain current service levels, noted Keim. Thanks, Dan! Waste Food Production FIBC Bag Waste Food Production FIBC Bag, jumbo bags big bag,Bulk Container Bags Zhejiang Changying Plastic Packaging Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.cyfibc.com