On March 27, voters in Vinton will have to decide whether to support a ten year maintenance tax at 6.95 mills for "the purpose of improving, maintaining, operating and supporting the hospital facilities of the Hospital Service District" of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH). But before that election, WCCH CEO Bill Hankins has been making the rounds, traveling and speaking to various groups in Vinton, Sulphur, Westlake, and Hackberry, answering questions and talking on the tax. On Thursday, Hankins, along with WCCH staff and supporters, were available for questions at a town hall meeting held at the hospital's clinic in Vinton.
While Hankins stated that the majority of funds from the tax would go toward maintaining the hospital and equipment in Sulphur, he emphasized the wording of the tax which specifically includes the Vinton Medical Clinic. The clinic, according to Hankins, loses over $100,00 a year and he hopes to offset that with the tax. As well, he intends to expand the services of the clinic by being open additional hours and having a physician available more often. The additional time would add an extra day, and while there is no particular physician in mind for the clinic, WCCH is working on developing a core group of people to assist in all their rural clinics (Vinton, Hackberry and Johnson Bayou).
In response to questions regarding the $25 million capital bond issuance voters approved in 2006 for the hospital, Hankins stated those funds have gone toward facility expansion efforts, such as new construction, parking lots, and remodeling, as well as equipment purchases. However, those funds cannot be used for maintenance of buildings or equipment, or for the purchase of supplies. That is what the new maintenance tax would help support.
Hankins stated that support for the tax has been widespread, with businesses, industry, and local politicians standing behind the hospital. And it will be local business and industry who will bear the bulk of paying the tax. But for them, they see the improved hospital as part of the economic engine as much as a quality of life issue.
How much will it cost the Vinton homeowner?
Well, approval of the proposition will cost some Vinton homeowners nothing at all. If your home is assessed to be valued up to $75,000, the annual cost is zero due to homestead exemption. But for a home valued at $100,000, for example, the annual cost is $17.38. A home valued higher, such as $200,000, will be taxed at $86.88 a year. Homeowners are taxed only at the value above the first $75,000.
Why do they seek the funds? Well, WCCH is a public hospital supported by those within their district. Unlike other local hospitals, they are limited in how and where they can seek funding, and are required to be balanced or in the positive each fiscal year. Rising costs and cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements have, according to WCCH officials, hit the hospital hard. As well, there is an increasing number of uninsured patients coming in for care. And with improved facilities, care, and equipment, there is a need to maintain the higher levels of quality.
For those voters in Vinton who were unable to attend the town hall meeting, there will be one more. It is scheduled to be held in Sulphur, at Dynamic Dimensions, Cypress Street, on Thursday, March 11, 6 p.m.
And for those voters who cannot make it out to the polls on March 27, there is an early voting period. Early voting will be available on Saturday, March 13, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then from Monday, March 15 through Saturday, March 20, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vinton voters can either do their early voting in Sulphur at the City Council Chambers, 500 N. Huntington, or visit the Registrar of Voters office in Lake Charles, 1000 Ryan Street.
For more information on the proposed tax, visit WCCH's website at www.wcch.com or contact their offices at 337-527-4241.
|
|
|
On March 27, voters in Vinton will have to decide whether to support a ten year maintenance tax at 6.95 mills for "the purpose of improving, maintaining, operating and supporting the hospital facilities of the Hospital Service District" of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH). But before that election, WCCH CEO Bill Hankins has been making the rounds, traveling and speaking to various groups in Vinton, Sulphur, Westlake, and Hackberry, answering questions and talking on the tax. On Thursday, Hankins, along with WCCH staff and supporters, were available for questions at a town hall meeting held at the hospital's clinic in Vinton.
While Hankins stated that the majority of funds from the tax would go toward maintaining the hospital and equipment in Sulphur, he emphasized the wording of the tax which specifically includes the Vinton Medical Clinic. The clinic, according to Hankins, loses over $100,00 a year and he hopes to offset that with the tax. As well, he intends to expand the services of the clinic by being open additional hours and having a physician available more often. The additional time would add an extra day, and while there is no particular physician in mind for the clinic, WCCH is working on developing a core group of people to assist in all their rural clinics (Vinton, Hackberry and Johnson Bayou).
In response to questions regarding the $25 million capital bond issuance voters approved in 2006 for the hospital, Hankins stated those funds have gone toward facility expansion efforts, such as new construction, parking lots, and remodeling, as well as equipment purchases. However, those funds cannot be used for maintenance of buildings or equipment, or for the purchase of supplies. That is what the new maintenance tax would help support.
Hankins stated that support for the tax has been widespread, with businesses, industry, and local politicians standing behind the hospital. And it will be local business and industry who will bear the bulk of paying the tax. But for them, they see the improved hospital as part of the economic engine as much as a quality of life issue.
How much will it cost the Vinton homeowner?
Well, approval of the proposition will cost some Vinton homeowners nothing at all. If your home is assessed to be valued up to $75,000, the annual cost is zero due to homestead exemption. But for a home valued at $100,000, for example, the annual cost is $17.38. A home valued higher, such as $200,000, will be taxed at $86.88 a year. Homeowners are taxed only at the value above the first $75,000.
Why do they seek the funds? Well, WCCH is a public hospital supported by those within their district. Unlike other local hospitals, they are limited in how and where they can seek funding, and are required to be balanced or in the positive each fiscal year. Rising costs and cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements have, according to WCCH officials, hit the hospital hard. As well, there is an increasing number of uninsured patients coming in for care. And with improved facilities, care, and equipment, there is a need to maintain the higher levels of quality.
For those voters in Vinton who were unable to attend the town hall meeting, there will be one more. It is scheduled to be held in Sulphur, at Dynamic Dimensions, Cypress Street, on Thursday, March 11, 6 p.m.
And for those voters who cannot make it out to the polls on March 27, there is an early voting period. Early voting will be available on Saturday, March 13, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then from Monday, March 15 through Saturday, March 20, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vinton voters can either do their early voting in Sulphur at the City Council Chambers, 500 N. Huntington, or visit the Registrar of Voters office in Lake Charles, 1000 Ryan Street.
For more information on the proposed tax, visit WCCH's website at www.wcch.com or contact their offices at 337-527-4241.
