NCCAD Putting Bond Back On Ballot

Narrowly rejected by voters in April, the North Crawford County Ambulance District will once again ask for a $4 million bond issue later this year.

NCCAD intends to have the bond issue on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The ambulance district submitted what would have been a debt service levy on the April 2 ballot. The proposition needed 57.14 percent — a “supermajority” by law. 

While a majority of voters approved the measure, it fell short with 53.16 percent.

There were 639 “yes” votes against 563 “no” votes.

The district needed to flip 48 votes to reach the necessary threshold.

LeighAnne DeParle, of NCCAD, said a citizens committee is being formed to talk again with different civic organizations and attend public meetings.

The committee also plans on canvassing door-to-door beginning in September. 

Turnout for elections is historically much lower in April than November. Turnout was just 11.55 percent for the last election.

NCCAD estimated that the bond issue would add around $3.999 per month if a resident’s home value was $180,000.

During the run-up to the April 2 election, NCCAD promised to purchase additional ambulances, upgrade equipment, upgrade stations, pay off existing debt and add a training center at Station 1.

Just a few weeks after the bond issue failed, NCCAD announced the temporary closure of the Bourbon station after identifying “areas of concern” that threatened the safety of staff.

NCCAD has been set up at the Bourbon Fire Protection District’s headquarters since.