Hampshire County Ambulance Levy: What Residents and Business Owners Should Know Before November 3rd

3 minutes ago

5 min read

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2234362570835549

Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaclynn Graybill and Hampshire County Development Authority Executive Director JT Hott discuss the proposed ambulance levy, its potential financial impact, and important considerations for Hampshire County residents and business owners.

As Hampshire County voters prepare for the November 3, 2026, General Election, one local ballot measure deserves careful consideration: the proposed ambulance levy.

To help our community better understand the proposal, Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaclynn "Jackie" Graybill and Hampshire County Development Authority Executive Director JT Hott recently sat down to discuss the levy, share financial examples, and explain the potential implications for residential and commercial property owners.

While emergency medical services are essential to the safety and well-being of our community, the proposed funding structure has raised concerns about its financial impact, particularly on Hampshire County businesses.

Understanding the Proposed Ambulance Levy

The proposed ambulance levy would establish an additional property tax to support emergency medical services throughout Hampshire County.

If approved, the levy would provide funding for EMS operations, staffing, training, equipment, facilities, and other essential services over a five-year period beginning July 1, 2027.

Under the proposal, property owners would see an additional levy based on their property's assessed value and tax classification.

A significant part of the discussion involves the current $175 ambulance fee and the proposal to eliminate that separate charge in favor of a property-tax-based funding structure.

Although this change may result in a relatively small net increase for some residential property owners, the financial impact on commercial properties could be considerably different.

What Would This Mean for Residential Property Owners?

During their discussion, Jackie and JT reviewed an example of a residential property valued at $200,000.

Current 2026 Costs:

Annual property taxes: Approximately $1,683.60
Separate ambulance fee: $175
Total annual cost: $1,858.60

Estimated Costs Under the Proposed Levy:

Annual property taxes: Approximately $1,873
Separate ambulance fee: Eliminated
Total annual cost: $1,873

In this example, the residential property owner would experience a net increase of approximately $14.40 annually, or roughly $15 per year.

One of the administrative benefits discussed is the elimination of the separate ambulance billing process. Currently, more than 20,000 individual ambulance fee bills must be distributed, creating an additional administrative responsibility for county government.

Moving this funding into the property tax system could streamline that process.

However, the impact of the proposed levy varies depending on property classification and assessed value. Important Note About the Financial Examples

The financial figures presented in this article and accompanying video are illustrative examples intended to help residents and business owners better understand the potential impact of the proposed ambulance levy.

Actual property tax amounts and potential increases will vary depending on several factors, including the property's location and tax district, classification, assessed value, applicable tax rates, and individual circumstances.

The examples provided should not be considered exact calculations or guarantees of what any individual homeowner or business will pay.

Property owners are encouraged to review their current tax assessments and consult the Hampshire County Assessor's Office or other appropriate county officials for information specific to their property.

What Would This Mean for Hampshire County Businesses?

The financial implications become more substantial when examining commercial properties.

Jackie and JT provided an example involving a Class III or Class IV business property valued at $200,000.

Current 2026 Property Taxes:

$3,367 annually

Estimated 2027 Property Taxes Under the Proposed Levy:

$3,756 annually

Estimated Annual Increase: $389

This represents approximately an 11.5% increase in the property's annual tax bill.

For businesses with higher property valuations, the additional cost would increase accordingly.

This is particularly relevant for businesses that own substantial real estate, facilities, equipment, or other taxable property.

Agricultural operations and businesses with significant machinery or equipment may also experience additional financial pressure depending on how their property is assessed and classified.

Unlike a flat annual fee, a property-tax-based levy scales with assessed property value. As a result, businesses with more taxable property could face significantly higher costs than those illustrated in the example.

Why Does This Matter Beyond Business Owners?

The potential financial impact of the levy extends beyond the businesses responsible for paying these taxes.

Local businesses already manage a variety of operational expenses, including payroll, utilities, insurance, supplies, equipment, and existing taxes.

When operating costs rise, business owners must determine how to absorb those additional expenses while maintaining sustainable operations.

Depending on the business, this could influence pricing decisions, investment plans, hiring, and opportunities for future growth.

Some businesses may also find it necessary to adjust the prices of goods and services to offset increased expenses, potentially extending the financial impact to customers throughout Hampshire County.

For a community that depends on locally owned businesses, understanding the broader economic implications of proposed tax changes is an important part of the conversation.

Where the Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce Stands

The Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce opposes the proposed ambulance levy in its current form, primarily due to concerns about the additional property tax burden it could place on commercial property owners.

As an organization dedicated to supporting local businesses and encouraging economic development, the Chamber believes it is important to carefully consider how proposed tax changes may affect business operations, affordability, and future investment in Hampshire County.

The Chamber recognizes the critical role that emergency medical services play in protecting our residents, businesses, and visitors. Our concerns are not about the importance of these services, but rather the proposed method of funding them.

We believe continued discussion is necessary to explore sustainable funding solutions that support essential emergency services while considering the financial impact on Hampshire County's business community.

Your Voice Matters: Review the Information Before Voting

The proposed ambulance levy will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot.

We encourage residents and business owners to take time to understand the proposal, review how it may affect their property taxes, and become familiar with the funding considerations being discussed.

Important Election Dates:

Early Voting: October 21–31, 2026
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Watch the Full Discussion

We encourage you to watch the full conversation featuring Jackie Graybill and JT Hott, where they walk through these financial examples and discuss the proposed levy and its potential effects on Hampshire County residents and businesses.

The discussion provides an opportunity to better understand how the proposed property tax changes may differ between residential and commercial property owners.

We Welcome Your Questions and Feedback

The Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce is committed to keeping our local business community informed about issues that may affect economic development, business operations, and the future of Hampshire County.

We recognize that community members may have different perspectives on this proposal, and we welcome thoughtful, respectful conversation.

Whether you have questions, concerns, or feedback to share, we invite you to contact us through our online feedback form. Submissions may also be made anonymously.

Share your feedback: https://www.hcccwv.com/feedback