Stoddard County Ambulance District discusses tax reduction, opioid abatement efforts with commission

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

BLOOMFIELD, Mo., (KBSI) — The Stoddard County Ambulance District met Monday morning with the Stoddard County Commission to discuss two initiatives aimed at reducing taxpayer burden and enhancing public safety.

District officials outlined plans for a property tax reduction initiative intended to lessen the burden on local property owners. The proposal would restructure how the district is funded to distribute costs across a broader base while maintaining current emergency medical services, according to the district.

The district also formally requested to participate in opioid abatement efforts in Stoddard County. Officials proposed using opioid settlement funds received by the county — which come from lawsuit settlements rather than tax revenue — to install publicly accessible naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, boxes. The boxes would function similarly to automated external defibrillator, or AED, stations and would allow bystanders to respond quickly to overdose emergencies.

District officials said they remain committed to working with the County Commission on initiatives designed to reduce taxpayer burden while strengthening public health and safety efforts.