Howard County Ambulance

04/02/2026

🚑 Who Helps Fund Ambulance Services?

Current funding is by patient insurance or payment and property owners by property tax.

Emergency care is provided to anyone who needs it—at any time in the county.

That includes:
• Residents
• Visitors traveling through
• College students
• People who work in the county

In December 2025, 50% of ambulance calls were for non-residents.

The proposed tax funding model determines how the cost of these services is shared across the county.

04/01/2026

📣 Sales Tax Proposal Q&A Wednesday 📣

🗳️ Final Q&A: What should residents know before April 7th?

Q: What is important for Howard County residents to understand before the April 7th vote?

A: Over the past several weeks, the Howard County Ambulance District has shared educational information about how emergency medical services operate, how EMS readiness is maintained, and how the Property Tax Reduction Sales Tax proposal relates to the district’s funding structure.

These posts have covered:
What it takes to maintain 24/7 emergency medical readiness
How staffing, equipment, and facilities support patient care
Why long-term planning is essential for a rural ambulance district
How the proposed sales tax and property tax reduction are connected

The purpose of this series has been to provide clear, factual information so residents can better understand how EMS services are delivered in Howard County and how funding models are structured.

📌 Key Fact: Please get out and vote on April 7th.

🗳️ Election Day is Tuesday, April 7th. Residents are encouraged to be informed, ask questions, and participate in the election.

This post, and the entire Q&A series, are provided for educational purposes only. As a public agency, the Howard County Ambulance District does not advocate for or against any ballot measure.

04/01/2026

This is not a joke…..no April Fools here.

04/01/2026

Due to the weather the monthly siren test will be canceled for today.

03/31/2026

🚑 Reliable Emergency Care Depends on Sustainable Funding

Ambulance service isn’t just about responding—it’s about being ready 24/7.

📊 Today:
• 1 crew 24/7 requires 8.5 employees
• Current staffing is 8 employees
• 2 crews 24/7 would require 17 employees

⚠️ Current funding does not support two full-time crews 24/7.

💡 Emergency care depends on staffing, equipment, and sustainable funding.

03/31/2026

03/30/2026

🚑 How ambulance services are funded matters.

Under the current model, funding relies heavily on property taxes, meaning local property owners carry most of the cost.

A sales tax model works differently:
• Visitors contribute when they shop or dine locally
• College students and commuters contribute while in the county
• Residents contribute through everyday purchases

👉 This spreads the cost across everyone who uses services in the community, not just property owners.

At the same time, the proposal includes a reduction in the current property tax, shifting how services are funded.

💡 This is simply a different approach to funding—one that distributes the cost more broadly across those in the area.

03/30/2026

Every second counts in a medical emergency, and fast response times are critical for saving lives. In Howard Counth, 'Chute Time' is a game-changer. Staffing two full-time crews is the key to minimizing these precious minutes, and stable funding is essential to maintain this vital service. On April 7, Howard County voters will decide on a measure that shifts the funding burden, reduces property taxes, and ensures our ambulances are ready to roll. Invest in a safer, fairer future for Howard County. Don't sit this election out. Get to the polls and .

03/29/2026

🚑 We need one paramedic on every call. Current funding does not support this.

So what’s the difference?

Paramedics provide advanced, life-saving treatment on scene. EMTs provide basic care and get you to the hospital.

👉 EMTs stabilize. Paramedics treat.

In serious emergencies, having a paramedic can make difference.

Our community deserves the highest level of care—every time.

03/28/2026

Howard County Residents - Ambulance Tax Information

03/27/2026

Early voting has begun! You can go to the county clerk's office any time during business hours between now and April 7 to cast your vote, thanks to Missouri's no-fault absentee voting law. Get out and vote today to help support our Howard County Ambulance District!

03/26/2026

Current funding cannot support a paramedic on every call. A crew that includes one paramedic and one EMT (called an ALS crew) can provide more life saving measures on critical calls. With our current funding some calls daily will be staffed by two EMT’s (this is called a BLS crew) with limited critical care availability. There is a difference in the care you can receive from an ALS or BLS crew during your emergency.

The Howard County Ambulance District’s property tax rollback sales tax will help fund ALS crews on every call.