Article submitted by Eric Dormeier
November 3rd, 2026 General Election Ballot Measure
Millstadt EMS Emergency Services District
Millstadt Township residents, Rural Stookey 1, 5 & 6 Township residents as well as any other townships currently within the Millstadt Ambulance District will once again be asked to vote on a Referendum on November 3rd, 2026 which would allow the creation of a new Taxing Body for Millstadt EMS Emergency Services District (aka the Millstadt Ambulance Service). Voters are being asked to either approve or reject the creation of this new Taxing Body.
Taxpayers should fully understand our options when making our decision. There are basically 3 options:
1. Vote No on the measure and Millstadt Ambulance remains contracted through the Fire District. Millstadt Ambulance can pursue an increase to .25% through the Fire District Tax
2. Vote No on the measure and have the Fire District pursue bids for Ambulance Service. Until this is completed, we do not know the financial options we have
3. Vote Yes for the measure to pass and accept a New Tax Entity for Ambulance Service, authorized to tax .40%.
By choosing any of the options above, Millstadt will maintain ongoing Ambulance coverage
What a YES Vote means:
• The creation of a new Taxing Body authorized to assess a .40% tax rate on property owners, increasing the overall property tax rate for property owners in a state already ranked highest in the country.
• An increase of annual taxpayer funds totaling $650,000.00. An increase from the current $278k annual amount to $928k annually (using a .30% tax rate)
• A significant influx of funds allowing Millstadt Ambulance to hire more staff, provide state pensions, and less dependance on billing revenue from calls and inter facility transports.
o Note: The communities of New Baden, Albers and Damiansville recently approved the Lookingglass Emergency Services District and tax rates for 2025 have been .5064% in St. Clair County
What a NO Vote means:
• No new State Government Agency created as a new Taxing Body
• Millstadt Ambulance Service would continue on in the current operating model with the ability to obtain a tax rate of .25% through the contract with Millstadt Fire District. This would enable an annual increase of $500,000.00 in taxpayer funding.
• Does not authorize an increased property tax burden on property owners
Emergency Medical Services are an important public safety need for any community. All residents are encouraged to ask questions and understand options to fund Ambulance Service enabling them to make an educated decision on how they choose to vote during the Nov 3rd General Election. Please be aware, this vote is not on whether to keep Millstadt Ambulance Service, it is a vote on how to fund the service.