ROCKWELL CITY — Calhoun County voters have voted down emergency medical services as an essential service.

The measure garnered 57.34 percent of the vote Tuesday with 1,102 residents voting yes and 820 voting no.

A supermajority of 60 percent of those voting was needed.

Calhoun County EMS asked taxpayers to add up to 65 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation to their property taxes for a period of 15 years. That would have provided funding for equipment and vehicles at three stations including volunteer services in Lohrville, Farnhamville, and Pomeroy.

Calhoun County EMS attempted to pass an essential service vote in 2022 which also failed.