BENTONVILLE -- The total changed slightly, but Benton County voters' rejection of the county's rural ambulance plan was made official Friday.
The Election Commission added three provisional ballots to the preliminary totals -- one vote in favor and two votes against -- before certifying the results of the Feb. 11 election.
The county is looking for ways to pay for rural ambulance service now provided by city ambulance services. The justices of the peace in September created an emergency medical services district for the unincorporated areas except the area served by the Northeast Benton County Fire Department to make service available. The justices of the peace proposed an $85 annual fee for homes of the district. A petition drive forced a referendum.
The final, but unofficial, total from the Feb. 11 election showed 1,134 votes, or 33 percent, were in favor and 2,346 votes, or 67 percent, were against it. The results after Friday's certification show 1,135 votes in favor and 2.348 votes against.
The county budgeted $950,000 to pay for ambulance service in 2014. When the election was scheduled, the Quorum Court reduced that to $236,000 to pay through March, leaving another $709,000 needed for the end of the year.
The Finance Committee voted Tuesday to cut the Road Department budget $450,000 and use the money to pay part of the cost of ambulance service through the end of this year.
The Quorum Court hasn't yet determined whether the remainder of the money needed will come from additional budget cuts or from the county's reserve.
NW News on 02/22/2014