Sales Tax
Community Votes to Approve Sales Tax Initiative — August 4, 2026
Thank you to everyone in our community who voted in support of the 1% sales tax for Edwards County Medical Center. The initiative passed with a vote of 406 to 305. We appreciate everyone who took the time to learn about the initiative and cast their vote in support of our medical center and the future of healthcare in Edwards County.
You can find additional information about the sales tax initiative below, along with a message of thanks from our CEO, Alisha Herrmann.
Keeping Healthcare Close to Home in Edwards County
Edwards County Medical Center is asking community members to learn more about a proposed 1% countywide sales tax that would help support local healthcare services for our families, friends, neighbors, and future generations.
Like many rural healthcare organizations, Edwards County Medical Center faces increasing costs, workforce challenges, and declining reimbursement rates. This proposed community investment would provide a dedicated local funding source to help maintain essential healthcare services, support facility and equipment needs, recruit and retain healthcare professionals, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of healthcare in Edwards County.
On this page, you'll find facts, community impact information, frequently asked questions, and resources to help you better understand the proposed sales tax and what it could mean for local healthcare in our community.
What's Being Proposed?
Shall Edwards County, Kansas, impose a one percent (1.00%) countywide retailers' sales tax for the purpose of financing, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, remodeling, furnishing, equipping, operating, maintaining, improving, and supporting county hospital facilities, emergency medical and health care services, and related public health purposes within the County?
Why Is Edwards County Medical Center Seeking a 1% Sales Tax?
Edwards County Medical Center is proud to provide high-quality healthcare services close to home. While ECMC continues to perform well compared to many rural hospitals, healthcare is changing rapidly, and planning for the future is essential to ensuring local healthcare remains available for generations to come.
Like healthcare organizations across the country, ECMC faces growing financial challenges. Rising costs, increasing regulatory requirements, insurance payment delays and denials, and higher patient out-of-pocket expenses all create uncertainty in an already complex healthcare environment.
Maintaining emergency services, clinics, equipment, facilities, and staffing requires a stable financial foundation to ensure care is available whenever our community needs it.
The proposed 1% sales tax is intended to create a more predictable and sustainable source of local funding. Currently, ECMC receives support through county property taxes, but those funds alone may not be sufficient to meet future healthcare challenges. A sales tax distributes support more broadly among residents, visitors, and others who shop within Edwards County.
This proposal is about planning ahead—not reacting to a crisis. It is about preserving local access to healthcare, supporting essential services, investing in facilities and equipment, recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals, and strengthening the long-term sustainability of healthcare in Edwards County.
Healthcare is more than a service—it is a vital part of our community's infrastructure. Access to local healthcare helps families remain in Edwards County, supports local businesses, attracts new residents, and contributes to the overall well-being of our community.
The proposed 1% sales tax represents an opportunity to invest in the future of local healthcare and help ensure that quality care remains close to home for years to come.
Investing in the Health of Our Community
Edwards County Medical Center, a Critical Access Hospital, is committed to delivering high-quality, lifesaving, and life-improving care close to home. Because of the continued support of our community, we’re able to keep essential healthcare services right here in Edwards County.
Every appointment, procedure, and emergency visit plays a role in strengthening local healthcare and ensuring our patients don’t have to travel far for the care they need.
In 2025, thousands of patients turned to ECMC for care—and our team was proud to be there for them:
This represents just a portion of the essential care provided every day. By delivering services close to home, we ease the strain on families who would otherwise have to travel for treatment—helping them save time, reduce expenses, and find comfort in knowing care is nearby when it’s needed most.
Your community support allows us to continue growing and strengthening this impact for everyone in Edwards County.
The Value of Keeping Care Local in Edwards County
Local healthcare is essential in Edwards County because it helps residents receive timely, affordable care without having to travel long distances. In a rural county with a small population, having healthcare close to home can make a significant difference.
Some key reasons local healthcare matters include:
Fast emergency care: The Edwards County Medical Center provides 24/7 emergency room and ambulance services, which can save lives when every minute counts.
Access to routine medical care: Local clinics and providers offer primary care, laboratory testing, rehabilitation, imaging, and inpatient services so residents do not have to travel far for everyday healthcare.
Support for rural communities: Edwards County is a rural county with a relatively small population, making local healthcare especially important for older adults, families, and people with chronic health conditions who may otherwise face long travel times for care.
Economic benefits: Local healthcare creates and supports jobs, attracts families and businesses, and helps keep the community healthy and economically stable. Edwards County Medical Center is among the largest employers in their communities.
Local healthcare in Edwards County matters because it provides lifesaving emergency services, preventive care, ongoing treatment, and public health programs while supporting the overall health and economy of the community.
The Economic Impact of Local Healthcare
Edwards County Medical Center is more than a place to receive care—it's an important part of our local economy. Supporting healthcare means supporting local jobs, businesses, and the long-term strength of our community.
According to the 2026 Kansas Hospital Association Economic Impact Report, the Edwards County healthcare sector supports 176 jobs and generates more than $9.7 million in labor income. Those dollars don't stop at the hospital—they circulate throughout the community, supporting local businesses, restaurants, retailers, service providers, and other employers.
Across Kansas, hospitals employ more than 76,000 people and provide nearly $7 billion in wages and salaries. Every 100 hospital jobs support an additional 74 jobs in other industries, while every $1,000 in hospital wages creates an additional $475 in income throughout the local economy. Hospitals also generate more than $305 million in sales tax annually and contribute more than $2 billion in state and local tax revenue that helps fund essential public services.
Beyond the numbers, a strong healthcare system improves the quality of life for everyone. Access to quality healthcare helps businesses recruit and retain employees, attracts new businesses and retirees to the area, and contributes to a healthier, more productive workforce.
When Edwards County Medical Center is strong, Edwards County is stronger. Investing in local healthcare is an investment in our economy, our workforce, and the future of our community.
Rooted in Community. Connected Through Care.
At Edwards County Medical Center, our community helps guide the care we provide. Through dedicated committees and councils, we work together with patients, employees, and community members to ensure we remain connected, transparent, and focused on meeting the healthcare needs of Edwards County.
Supporting Education & Learning
At Edwards County Medical Center, caring for our community means more than delivering quality healthcare. It also means investing in the next generation through education, mentorship, and community involvement. By supporting students and lifelong learning, we're helping build a healthier future for Edwards County.
Throughout the year, our team gives back by:
Educational school visits: We partner with local schools to participate in senior career readiness classes, introducing students to careers in healthcare and the opportunities available close to home. We're also working to establish a Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter in Edwards County to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Back-to-school sports physicals: Each year, our clinic staff provides discounted flat-fee sports physicals for local student-athletes. This program supports young athletes while giving back to participating school districts, with all proceeds benefiting local youth athletic programs.
Job shadowing and internships: We are committed to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through education, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities. Our providers serve as preceptors and mentors for medical, APRN, and Physician Assistant students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas State University, and other institutions. We also offer internships and job shadowing opportunities for high school and college students interested in exploring careers in healthcare, helping inspire and prepare the future rural healthcare workforce.
By investing in education today, we're helping inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, community leaders, and community members who will help keep Edwards County healthy and strong for years to come.
What Happens if the 1% Sales Tax Doesn't Pass?
Edwards County Medical Center has proudly served our community for generations, but the financial realities facing rural healthcare continue to grow. Inflation, higher operating expenses, increasing uncompensated care, and lower reimbursement rates make it harder to maintain the level of care our patients deserve.
The proposed 1% Sales Tax would provide a dependable, local funding source to help keep healthcare strong in Edwards County. Without this investment, we risk:
- Fewer healthcare services available locally: Financial constraints could make it difficult to continue offering certain specialty services, requiring residents to seek care outside of Edwards County.
- Less timely access to care: Ongoing workforce challenges and limited resources may lead to longer appointment wait times and reduced provider availability.
- Economic impacts on local families: As one of the county's largest employers, financial strain on Edwards County Medical Center could affect local jobs, household income, and businesses that rely on those employees.
- More dollars leaving our community: When residents must travel elsewhere for healthcare, they often spend money on fuel, food, shopping, and other services outside the county—taking valuable economic activity with them.
Strong local healthcare is about more than doctor's appointments—it's about protecting emergency care, supporting local families, attracting businesses, and ensuring Edwards County remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive. A 1% Sales Tax is a community investment that helps keep quality healthcare close to home, today and for future generations.
How To Vote
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Edwards County voters will decide on the proposed 1% Countywide Retailers' Sales Tax that would support Edwards County Medical Center. Your vote is an important part of shaping the future of healthcare in our community.
Follow these simple steps to cast your ballot:
Election Day
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
✅ Confirm Your Voter Registration
Before Election Day, verify that you're registered to vote and that your registration information is current.
Visit Kansas VoterView to:
- Check your voter registration status
- Update your voter information
- View your sample ballot
- Voter registration deadline: July 14, 2026
Locate Your Polling Place
Not sure where to vote? Use the Kansas VoterView Polling Place Lookup to find your designated polling location.If you have questions, contact the Edwards County Election Department for assistance.
✏️ Vote Early or Request a Mail Ballot
Can't make it to the polls on Election Day? Kansas offers advance voting both in person and by mail.Contact the Edwards County Election Department for information about advance voting dates, deadlines, and how to request an advance ballot.