County Commission | The Magazine March 2019 | Page 35

NEWS YOU CAN USE
Part of the PLAN
Improving emergency medical services has been an 8-year project for
Blankenship, going back to his service on the Ozark City Council.
For a long-running effort, things have progressed quickly over the past year.
January 2018 | Rep. Steve Clouse introduced a local bill to create the
tag fee and establish a process for distributing the funds, subject to
voter approval.
March 2018 | Gov. Kay Ivey signed Act 2018-239 into law.
November 2018 | Dale County voters approved the new fee, which
came out on top in 19 of 20 precincts.
January 1, 2019 | The $5 tag fee, projected to generate $280,000
a year, went into effect.
Spring 2019 | Money will be distributed quarterly, so the first dollars
will be released after March.
Dale County Referendum | November 2018
$5 Tag Fee to Fund
Emergency Medical
Services
3 YES......... 6,226... 61%
Blankenship is part of the
2018 class of PLAN, ACCA’s
leadership program for second-term
commissioners.
Each class member worked on
a “Passion Project” in their county
during the 18-month program, and
Blankenship selected the tag fee for
emergency medical services.
Networking is a major emphasis
of the program, and Blankenship
said it was helpful to discuss the
referendum with other commissioners
who had already navigated a local
ballot issue. What’s more, other
commissioners have expressed interest
in doing something to bolster EMS
in their own counties.
“There’s nothing unique to
Dale County about the challenges
of providing ambulance services
in more rural areas, but Chairman
Blankenship persevered to develop a
solution that citizens could support,”
said Sonny Brasfield, ACCA
Executive Director. “His leadership
on this issue will make a substantial
impact in his county, and, because of
his engagement with this Association,
other county leaders stand to benefit
from his experience and his success.”
From Start to Finish
7 NO.................3,986........ 39%
ABSTAIN........4,123
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Congratulations
to the members
of PLAN 2020!
SEE PAGE 8
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COUNTY COMMISSION | 35