The Daviess County Council voted to authorize filing for a local income tax dedicated to emergency medical services at a 0.1 rate, a motion that passed during the meeting with four votes in favor and one abstention.

Council chair Jim said the action responds to changes under “Senate Bill 1,” which he said is “really impacting the amount of property taxes and what that will affect our budget” and that the county expects “it’s over a million dollars that our budget will be reduced next year.” He added the council must act quickly if it wants the tax to take effect in 2026 because of state deadlines.

Council member Mike Sprinkle said the county faces a roughly $1 million shortfall and favored adopting the EMS LIT now. “Me personally, we’re pretty certain we’re gonna have a million dollar shortfall in our collections next year because of Senate Bill 1,” Sprinkle said, and supported a 0.09–0.10 rate, adding that the revenue could also be used for other county needs tied to public safety beyond ambulance operations.

Council member Tom moved to file for the EMS LIT at a 0.1 rate; council member Matt seconded the motion. Tony, who identified himself as a hospital board member, said he would abstain from the vote and stated, “So I probably should abstain it.” The motion then carried.

During discussion, council members emphasized maintaining ambulance service levels and controlling operational costs. One council member noted training costs for first responders, saying the class cost “2,000 to $2,500 per student,” and suggested some of the new revenue could be used for training and other EMS-related expenses.

The council discussed timing and alternatives, including a public-safety tax and other local income tax options that staff and outside consultants had reviewed previously. Chair Jim said county staff and outside advisors had reviewed options including an EMS tax and a public safety tax and that the county had held a public meeting on the subject the prior day where residents provided input.

The council’s authorization was limited to filing for the tax; the transcript does not record a final enactment vote requiring later public-notice steps or additional approvals by the state. Council members said the filing would need to be completed before the end-of-month deadline for implementation in 2026 if the county proceeds.

What was decided

- Action: Council authorized filing for a local income tax dedicated to EMS at a 0.1 rate.
- Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Tony).
- Next steps: Filing to meet state deadlines if the council proceeds; transcript does not specify who will file or the exact filing date.