The Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad will be asking voters within the city limits of Roanoke Rapids to support a referendum in the November election which calls for a 1-cent property tax to support the organization.
Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday night approved the squad’s request after tabling the matter in May.
There are 10,586 voters within the city limits who are eligible to vote on the matter, board of elections Director Kristin Scott said this morning.
Scott said she is awaiting the resolution council approved as well as the language of the referendum.
If passed, the rescue squad would be able to raise $121,000 from the tax, City Manager Joseph Scherer said. Placing the referendum on the ballot would not cost the city any money, he said.
Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough wanted the matter clarified so residents would understand the city was not raising the money — it would be the rescue squad, which is not part of the city’s administration.
Council had been contributing around $17,000 yearly to the squad but cut out outside contributions to organizations in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
“I am really pleased with their decision,” RVRS Commander Mark Collier said this morning. “This is something that we have been working towards for the last several years. It ensures the longevity of the department for years to come.”
Collier said what led to the decision came from federal and state funding cuts over the years. “Year after year the department has faced these cuts which has driven us to this.”
He said the donations from the city have been welcomed, but “it hasn’t created enough security for the department. Last year the cuts totaled 13 percent.”
The biggest use of the funds should the referendum pass in November will go to replace aging equipment. The squad has been using items donated by the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department. The equipment on loan from the fire department totals around $20,000.
The cuts have forced the squad to withdraw from helping the city fire department because of its equipment needs, Collier said. “The vast majority will be to keep service up to speed, keep staff on board and help our service and help the city.”
The promotion plan includes going to social media, distributing flyers and going door-to-door, Collier said. “We will have discussions with our board. We want to let people know what we do and how we do it.”
In introducing the matter to council for discussion, Scherer said, “Over the years the city has assisted the rescue squad with monetary contributions and other resources.”
He said state statutes allow the city the option to levy property taxes for ambulance services.
Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad has been in operation since 1956.
The resolution on the matter says, “ … The delivery of emergency rescue services is an essential function of the fire and life safety responsibility of local and regional government.”
The resolution notes the squad has “been an integral part of the city’s safety programs and functions.”
The resolution says, “ … The vital services provided by the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad have been beneficial to the citizens of Roanoke Rapids … and the city of Roanoke Rapids has supported the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad with resources and monetary contributions for many years.”
The document says, however, “ … With the current health and economic state of the rescue squad, annual funding from the city of Roanoke Rapids is critical to maintain their ability to respond to all needed calls, replace much needed vital equipment and building repairs.”
