Kay County voters will decide on a 1/3 cent sales tax for fire and EMS next Tuesday. Tonkawa city councilmen a month ago voted to participate so that Tonkawa Fire and EMS could get their share. But in a special meeting last Thursday night, the council voted to go on record opposing the sales tax increase. Ponca City councilmen have voted to not participate and Mayor Homer Nicholson has placed ads against the issue as well as Mayor Ken Smith of Tonkawa.Tonkawa Fire Chief Rob Fehring said: “The Kay County 1/3 cent sales tax for fire and Ems will be a huge help to all fire departments in Kay County that signed a participating letter. The 1/3 cent sales tax will be helpful in the purchase of better equipment and training and PPE.“My goal as the Fire Chief of Tonkawa is to provide the best service to the citizens of Tonkawa and make sure Tonkawa firefighters are trained and make it home safe to their families. The sales tax will have a big impact with acquiring monies from the travelers up and down interstate 35 and highway 60 that stop in our area to shop. Let’s help the fire departments in Kay County with a yes vote.”If it is approved, the tax would go on the books Jan. 1, 2023, and continue for six years. It would terminate on Dec. 31, 2028.The new tax would especially help rural volunteer fire departments throughout the county.
