WASHINGTON — The Daviess County Council has scheduled a public hearing to gather input on a proposed ordinance that would implement a new local income tax dedicated to funding the county’s essential Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The hearing for Ordinance No. 2025-3 will take place on Tuesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Daviess County Government Center, located at 300 E. Hefron Street in Washington. Residents are strongly encouraged to attend and share their views before the council moves to consider final action.
The proposed measure seeks to establish a 0.10% Local Income Tax (LIT), specifically designated as an EMS tax. This action comes directly in response to a significant budget shortfall created by recent state legislation, specifically Indiana Senate Bill 1, which mandated cuts to local property taxes across the state.
County officials estimate that these property tax cuts will result in an approximate $1 million shortfall in the county’s 2026 budget. With the county-wide ambulance service representing a major expenditure from the general fund—budgeted this year at about $800,000—the council is moving to create a dedicated, stable revenue source for the critical service.
The council has framed the new income tax as a “tax-shift” away from property owners, noting that the expected revenue of about $1.1 million would cover the loss. Daviess County Council President Marilyn McCullough previously stated that studies showed the median household income in the county would see a change that roughly offsets the decrease in property taxes, aiming for a “net wash” for most residents.
The funding is primarily intended to support the essential, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week ambulance service and can also be used for additional training and equipment for volunteer fire departments and other emergency responders.
If approved following the public input session, the new income tax is projected to take effect on January 1, 2026.
