South Lincoln Hospital District voters will decide in the November General Election whether to increase the district’s mill levy from 3 mills to 6 mills, a request South Lincoln Medical Center CEO David Ryerse said is intended to help maintain local hospital, long-term care and ambulance services.
Ryerse said mill levy revenue has long been essential to the district’s ability to operate South Lincoln Medical Center, its nursing facility and emergency medical services.
“The mission of South Lincoln Hospital District has been to provide excellent healthcare services close to home,” Ryerse said. “Financially, mill levy funds have been a critical factor in keeping the hospital, nursing center, and really our emergency ambulance services in place.”
The district currently receives about $1.2 million annually through its mill levy, Ryerse said, compared with approximately $2 million to $2.5 million in previous years. He said district support declined by $740,000 from last year to this year, even as the facility continues serving a similar number of patients.
“Without the district funds that we receive, this hospital, to be honest, doesn’t even exist,” Ryerse said. “It really is that critical to us.”
The proposed increase would add 3 mills, bringing the district to the maximum 6 mills allowed under Wyoming law for special hospital districts. Ryerse said the additional revenue would support services throughout the district rather than being restricted to one department.
“We run all the EMS in this part of the county and so these mill levy dollars 100% support those services,” he said. “And along with the hospital and our long-term care nursing facility.”
Based on average assessed home values in Kemmerer and Diamondville, Ryerse said the increase is estimated at about $6.22 per month, or roughly $74 to $75 per year, for an average homeowner. The actual amount would vary based on property value.
Ryerse said the district has already experienced the effects of property-tax reductions. He said the district’s fiscal year began in July and mill levy revenue during its first three months was down about 30 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
“Our goal for us is honestly, it’s just to maintain these services in our area,” Ryerse said. “It’s truly just to maintain our hospital, maintain our long-term care, and maintain our ambulance services here in our area.”
South Lincoln Medical Center will host a public open house about the proposal October 26 at 6 p.m. in its boardroom. Ryerse said residents are also welcome to speak with hospital board members or administration before casting their ballots.
“We really do want our community to understand the facts,” Ryerse said. “Ultimately the question that we’re asking our community is, truly what services does our community want to maintain in our area.”
To listen to the full interview, visit SVIkemmerer.com or the SVI News app. Additional details can be found at SouthLincolnMedical.com.
