Mill levy
A historical moment in the history of the Ruidoso News. This is the first blog we have posted. It's from the editor, Marty Racine, and will be called The Front Page. As always, your input is critical to the success of the blog. I won't respond to all posts, but will as time allows. And if there are any bugs in the system, thanks for your patience. Please feel free to contribute. No profanity or name-calling, please.
Today, let's kick off a discussion of the upcoming mill levy vote for the hospital. Do you favor raising the levy from 3 to 4.25 mills? Do you oppose? Why?
posted by Ruidoso News @ 9:46 AM
22 Comments
22 Comments:
Hello, I believe that most people in Lincoln county are ill informed on the situation of the mill levy, the hospital is trying to make it look as if it is a renew project when in actuality it is not a renew but an increase, for some of us out here in Lincoln we have had too many increases already and we can not bear having to deal with another. if the hospital was too take a year and figure out exactly what the people of Lincoln wanted and needed then maybe at that time we could afford another increase. Thank you, Joshua J Macho
Thanks, Joshua, this issue is generating a lot of discussion because it is about health care and taxes, two areas critical to all of us. However people vote on Nov. 6, a strong turnout would show that Lincoln County residents are involved in decisions that affect their lives (Marty)
Marty, I am hoping for a big turnout also because I would love to see a lot more community involvement in Ruisoso and Lincoln county. I know my viewpoint is still just my view on the subject but as long as people know what is going on in our community and they go out and vote for what they want then that would be what I am looking for, I have a lot of friends that work for the hospital and for them the bill is good, but for me personally I feel as if it is coming to too soon.I would vote yes if it was at a later date. Thank you, Joshua Macho
I must have missed the part where the hospital explained why they need the tax increase.
What are the additional services we get for the additional taxes?
Alternatively, what will we lose if we don't vote to increase taxes?
Hondo
Hellloooooo....
Anybody out there?
Anybody listening?
Anybody care?
Jeeze.
Hondo out...
Hondo, the hospital hasn't explained what the funding would pay for. The newspaper is attemting to get that and other information. Thanks for responding, sorry about the delay. We're still new at this. – Marty
The hospital is spending a lot of money to promote this new tax.
Seems a little fishy to me.
Wow. Have you looked at you new property tax bill? That is sick.
According to the hospital, if the mill levy is passed, your property tax would increase by $125 for each assessed value of $100,000. – Marty
From what I have herd, the hospital is saying that they are going to buy new equipment that will be outdated in about a year or so, but the real story is that the hospital is trying to get pay increases for the higher up personnel trying to cherry coat it and tell us that it is for equipment.This is not a proven fact from the hospital but word of mouth from people that I know that work at the hospital... I have been told by these friends that they are being pressured to vote yes or there jobs will be in jeopardy... tell me what you think?
I want to say thanks to Hondo-Fondo for taking interest.
Joshua J Macho Plc.
I believe the hospital is trying to point out that the county and hospital demand have grown. That more square footage for hospital care is needed and part of the new physical therapy/ cardiac rehab building is to take physical therapy out of the hospital and use that space for other functions. The mill levy money goes to the county commisioners for their use with the hospital. The hospital does ask that the money be spent in certain ways, but the county commisioners set the actual annual mill levy amount and how and when to spend the money. The money is not used for equipment or salaries.
It's pretty clear the hospital is waging a concerted campaign in favor of the levy, and recruiting its employees in the process. That's to be expected. We've heard about an incentive to vote, but we haven't heard about threats over loss of jobs if an employee doesn't support the levy.– Marty
The Ruidoso News hopes for a large turnout Tuesday. However you plan to vote, here's Friday's editorial:
This nation may have the best healthcare system in the world, but affording it will cost you an arm and a leg.
No matter how it is cloaked in the maze of insurance plans and entitlement programs, healthcare’s bill is such that, in order to serve those beyond the very rich, it depends on a redistribution of wealth – socialism, to be blunt. And this, already prior to 2008 presidential candidates concocting their own feel-good versions of government-mismanaged “universal coverage.”
In Lincoln County, property owners pay a 2.60 mill levy (out of 3 mills authorized) to fund operation of the Lincoln County Medical Center (LCMC) and some rural clinics, adding $260 annually to each $100,000 of assessed taxable valuation.
Through gross receipts tax-es, taxpayers contribute to the county’s healthcare indigent fund. And taxpayers prop up the state’s Sole Community Provider Fund, which receives a 3-1 federal match.
You pay into Medicare and Medicaid and, if you are fortunate to have a job that offers insurance, you know what that eats out of your paycheck.
All these levies, before you ever need a hospital’s services. All these, even if you personally have taken accountability for your health by simply avoiding obesity, junk food, cigarettes and drug and alcohol abuse.
The non-profit corporation Presbyterian Healthcare Ser-vices (PHS), which leases and manages LCMC, is requesting an increase in the mill levy to 4.25 – potentially a 63 percent hike over eight years.
PHS says the increase provides “flexibility” in spending caps; history suggests the maximum might not be levied. Alas, the vote is an all-or-nothing proposition; rejecting 4.25 mills temporarily drops it to zero.
If there’s an illness going around, it’s tax fatigue, especially where residents face higher fees and bond payments for schools, a fire station and wastewater treatment plant.
And the burden falls entirely upon county property owners, despite the fact that a significant percentage of LCMC patients live elsewhere.
It is not an equitable system, but in the politics of healthcare, it never is.
The hospital in May requested the 4.25 mill levy rate, subject to voter approval, and in June the County Commis-sion OK’d the full request. Had the county stipulated the current 3 mills, a true “renewal,” the Ruidoso News would have eagerly supported it. The status quo had become a known quantity. We like our hospital.
As it stands, we haven’t been convinced the 1.25 percent in-crease is justified.
Statistics might not lie but they don’t always tell the whole story. It is not easy sorting through them with no outside audit to go by. We also are unsure whether the system encourages truly independent accounting oversight.
But here goes: According to county figures, in the past 12 years, PHS has received roughly $2.6 million annually in subsidies through the mill levy and Sole Provider yield.
Hospital expenditures over the next seven years project to $29 million. Subsidies, as currently received, plus $800,000 in county money (from the annual Presbyterian lease) and $500,000 annual interest earn-ed on LCMC’s reserve fund would just about raise that $29 million. And this is not accounting for rising property values.
A full 4.25 mill levy, coupled with the county’s $800,000 lease fund, would raise $29 million by themselves.
Aside from projections, $3 million has been earmarked for the third phase of expansion at the hospital, which includes more space for physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation.
Yet, should the mill levy fail, LCMC Administrator Jim Gib-son says he will recommend stoppage of Phase 3, closure of the Rose Clinic in Capitan and the Dental Clinic in Carrizozo, and would “consider closing” clinics in Carrizozo and Corona.
How did we get in this pre-dicament? How did we ever relinquish control over our healthcare network to a corporation based in Albuquerque making dire predictions?
And yet – by all accounts we have a fine hospital for its size. LCMC staff is widely known as caring and expert. The partnership of the hospital board and the county provides more local control than a typical Presbyterian arrangement, and the county’s indigent healthcare program is considered quite progressive.
The expansion blueprint for an aging building and possible acquisition of the Nob Hill property is proactive. Accor-ding to the hospital, passage of the mill levy ensures relocation of EMS and doctors’ offices, remodeling and expansion of all out-patient and service elements, and expansion and renovation of OR/OB/recovery and in-patient areas. Labs, business offices, radiology and the pharmacy would be redesigned.
If realized, LCMC would be an attraction for the impending influx of baby boomers. (Dis-counting the negative effect of high property taxes.)
There are many issues here. We cannot in good conscience offer a recommendation to voters on this complex, emotional perfect storm of health and taxes. A Yes vote would ensure quality local healthcare for years. A No vote would be a stand for taxpayers and may not jeopardize care at all.
There’s a third option. The current levy extends to June 30, 2008. If the new levy fails, another vote for, say, 3 mills could be held next November through a petition process. If passed then, the levy would resume on July 1, 2009.
LCMC says its current re-serve of $7.6 million is set aside for a “rainy day.” A year without a levy in place could be that rainy day.
I think what we are dealing with here is smoke and mirrors. Presbyterian agreed to operate the hospital for a set amount. Now they want more. Is that because bonuses are paid on profitability?
The outlying clinics are Federally funded so don't let anyone fool you that they may close.
If Presbyterian can't do what they said, maybe it's time to open up the RFP process again for some healthy competition instead of giving one company a free pass for life.
When has any of our elected officials asked the Hospital to provide them with a copy of their Cost Report? When has was any study done to determine the need for manned EMT stations in populated areas? Why are EMT stations outside of the village a volunteer force? What has changed since we first voted for a Mill Levy?
Is it just me or is this little government hand out being paid for by financially responsible people (property owners)to benefit predominantly non property owners. Reminds me of the national percentages of just 40% of the citizens paying 100% of the tax bill. The people who use the services the most get a free pass.
Low price voltarol Now azulfidine Drug voltarol Without prescription diflucan World shippind floxin Now actos
[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Escape Idle Downloads With NZB Downloads You Can Instantly Search HD Movies, PC Games, Music, Software & Download Them @ Alarming Speeds
[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Newsgroup Search[/B][/URL]
Infatuation casinos? anatomize this advanced [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] president and tergiversate online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also examine our modish [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] rat on something at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and enlarge the disagreement realistic to life folding bread !
another different [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] emplacement is www.ttittancasino.com , rather than of german gamblers, smidgin upon on unrestrained online casino bonus.
prepositor exposed this gratis [url=http://www.casinoapart.com]casino[/url] perk at the outwit [url=http://www.casinoapart.com]online casino[/url] guide with 10's of reborn [url=http://www.casinoapart.com]online casinos[/url]. actions [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/play-roulette.html]roulette[/url], [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/play-slots.html]slots[/url] and [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/play-baccarat.html]baccarat[/url] at this [url=http://www.casinoapart.com/articles/no-deposit-casinos.html]no imagine unthinkable casino[/url] , www.casinoapart.com
the finest [url=http://de.casinoapart.com]casino[/url] to UK, german and all unique the world. so as regards the treatment of the choicest [url=http://es.casinoapart.com]casino en linea[/url] corroborate us now.
[url=http://sexrolikov.net.ua/tags/%EE%ED%EB%E0%E9%ED/]онлайн[/url] Смотри и дрочи : [url=http://sexrolikov.net.ua/tags/%EF%E0%F5%F3%F7%F3%FE/]пахучую[/url] , это все смотри
[url=http://www.23planet.com]online casino[/url], also known as accepted casinos or Internet casinos, are online versions of renowned ("buddy and mortar") casinos. Online casinos advocate gamblers to get domicile in and wager on casino games to a t the Internet.
Online casinos ordinarily submit on the bazaar odds and payback percentages that are comparable to land-based casinos. Some online casinos lay forth higher payback percentages with a set before a woman's trust in reproach gismo games, and some tolerant celebrated payout division audits on their websites. Assuming that the online casino is using an correctly programmed indefinitely theatre-in-the-round troupe generator, furnish games like blackjack key an established congress edge. The payout execute after these games are established at just about the rules of the game.
Away online casinos charter out or comprehend their software from companies like Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech, Intercontinental Contrivance Technology and CryptoLogic Inc.
top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]casino bonus[/url] coincide the latest [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/]las vegas casino[/url] manumitted no deposit reward at the chief [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]online casinos
[/url].
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home