The public voted to allow the South Lincoln Hospital District to raise their mill levy. Voting closed with 255 votes for and 150 votes against. The increased mill levy will create an expected $467,000 of revenue for the hospital. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

The South Lincoln Hospital District held a special election on Tuesday, May 8. The public voted on the following issue: Shall the South Lincoln Hospital District increase the District’s mill levy from the current three (3) mills to four (4) mills, to continue to provide funding to support the South Lincoln Hospital and Nursing Center?

The voting closed with 255 votes for and 150 votes against. The increased mill levy will create an expected $467,000 of revenue for the hospital.

Funds will be used for maintenance projects that the hospital has been forced to defer because of decreased revenue the past few years.

“We need to replace the roof, boilers and air handlers,” Hospital CEO Carl Sundberg told the Gazette before the election. “We also need to update our surgical suites and the pre- and post-op areas, as well as the laboratory and in-patient pharmacy.”

The increase is expected to have an annual impact of $9.50 per year for a property valued at $100,000.

“This money will help us add service, integrate specialists and leverage our existing space as wisely as possible,” Sundberg informed the Kemmerer City Council at the April 23 meeting. “Right now we have a lot of business going out of town, and between these updates and the new urgent care clinic, we’ll be able to best serve our community.”

“I am privileged and honored to share with you that the vote to increase the mill levy support to our hospital was passed,” Sundberg said in a May 9 Facebook post. “I am deeply appreciative to the people of our community we serve, for their support of this very important resource. We look forward to continuing to enhance the services to our community, and the long term sustainability of the hospital, and our South Lincoln County Health System.”