VIDEO: Next week, even amid the pandemic, Kansas City voters will head to the polls. And in one sense, the coronavirus response is on the ballot.
Voters are being asked to raise the sales tax for the Kansas City Fire Department:
The Fire Department doesn't fight nearly as many fires as it runs medical calls. It's not even close.
"When they're afraid to go to the hospitals or go to the doctors' offices, they're not afraid to call 911 and have our men and woman come out and treat them," said Tim Dupin, of Firefighters Union Local 42.
The ballot question asks whether to raise the sales tax another ¼ cent for the Fire Department, generating $21 million a year for the next 25 years.
"This is critical infrastructure needs of the Fire Department," Dupin said.
The money would go toward new fire trucks, ambulances and protective equipment.