By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorVoters in the Warren County Ambulance District approved a 15-cent property tax increase by just 21 votes, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election.The number of voters who approved the measure, known as Proposition A, was 1,281, or 50.41 percent. A total of 1,260 votes, or 49.59 percent, were cast opposing the increase.This is the district’s first tax hike since 2001.“We would have liked to have seen a bigger margin, but all in all we got it passed,” district Administrator Ralph Hellebusch said.Ambulance district officials said the increase was necessary to help meet current and future needs. The number of emergency calls have risen considerably with the district’s population over the years.“There are more and more times where the fourth and fifth crews are getting called out,” Hellebusch said. “It’s harder and harder to staff that. This will take care of us for years to come. We want to thank the voters for coming out.”Some of the major expenditures proposed by the ambulance district in its five-year plan include replacing an aging ambulance fleet, purchasing property for a fourth base, hiring additional staff and replacing equipment.Hellebusch said funds are earmarked in this year’s budget to purchase a new ambulance. One of the top priorities moving forward will be identifying property for a new base north of Interstate 70 in Wright City.Hellebusch said he was thankful for the work done by the district’s staff to help educate voters about tax increase.“We felt we put a lot of educational material out there,” Hellebusch said. “We realize tax increases are not the most popular thing to put out there, but we’re thankful for this to pass.”Ambulance district tax passes by 21 votes