(Editor’s note: Owensville Area Ambulance District’s administtator and chief, Karen Hubenthal-Arnold, provided the following information about the upcoming Proposition Owensville Ambulance which will appear on the April 7 Municipal Election ballots in the southern portion of Gasconade County).
“I have spent my adult life here (36 years) at Owensville Ambulance serving the residents of our district,” wrote Hubenthal-Arnold in an email to The Republican. “I am just as passionate today as I was on day No. 1. Assistant Chief Jenifer Nochta (29 years), myself and the Board of Directors, have worked tirelessly to maintain a professional and compassionate team to take care of our community and earn your respect every time those tones go off, and someone needs our help. Right now, the district needs your help, and I hope that we have done enough to earn it. Thanks in advance for your consideration.”
• It has been almost 20 years (2007) since we have asked the public to help the ambulance district with funding.
• We are asking for an additional half cent sales/use tax. Our current sales tax is decreasing because of how people buy their everyday products online. Due to some recent legislation, ambulance districts are now allowed to collect use tax as well as sales tax.
• If approved the tax will eliminate the property taxes for district residents.
• Why do we need the funding:
1. 100% increase in minimum wages in the last 10 years has had a major impact on our budget. (Our full time EMT’s start out at minimum wage).
2. Dramatic increases in pricing of insurance, ambulances, medical equipment and supplies.
3. 65% increase in call load and not enough crews to handle it, reliance on neighboring districts.
4. Difficulty competing for paramedics which are critical in the rural area.
5. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates have not kept up with the cost of providing services.
• How does the district work currently:
1. The district income comes from two prominent sources. Tax income and Service Fees (billing for services provided.)
2. With some variations from year to year, the service fees are about 60 percent and the tax income (sales and property) are about 40 percent.
3. During Covid, the district was able to secure several grants to buy new medical equipment which was a blessing and provided a little cushion for bigger expenses in the short term.
4. We spend most of our money on our people (80-plus percent). They are the lifeline of what we do and how we care for our patients.
5. The district has two crews on duty 24/7 and a third crew on Monday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• How money will be spent:
1. Maintaining current and future expenses of operating the ambulance district with special attention to attracting and retaining paramedics.
2. Putting on a 3rd crew during the busiest days/hours of the week so we can be there when you need us.
3. Starting a Community Paramedic Program which will assist us in coming to your home and providing additional services. The overall goal is to keep patients out of the emergency room by helping them better care for their chronic conditions at home. These services could include but are not limited to health screenings, vaccinations, vital sign checks including blood glucose monitoring, follow-up care, medication management, helping with food insecurity, arranging appointments and transportation etc.
For more information visit the website Owensville-ems.com and click on the link for ballot information.
