Jasper County Board Discusses Ambulance Referendum

Jasper County board members Thursday decided on a switch on a tax referendum designed to raise funds for the county's ambulance service.

The Board had been pursuing a property tax increase, but Mike Evans of the Jasper County Farm Bureau asked board members to instead pursue a sales tax increase. Evans indicated that Farm Bureau would support the change and is "willing and able" to help with advertising to get the public educated on the issue.

Board members learned that after the recent public information meeting on the referendum, the Jasper school district will send a check for $10,000 for the ambulance service contract to cover costs when the ambulances are stationed at school events.

The sales tax would increase by .5%. The referendum will be on the primary election ballot in Jasper County in June.

Board members also learned that work is 87% complete on the Jasper County Law Enforcement Center in Newton. A May project completion date is still projected.

There was much discussion as to pay increases for Jasper County elected officials, since the salaries have to be set before the officials take office. The Board also heard about vacancies on the Jasper County Housing Authority Board. Anyone interested in serving on the Housing Authority Board is encouraged to call Steve Willis at 618-553-4264 to discuss filling one of the vacancies.