Ballots arrive for school, hospital levies

The Record supports the passage of all three levies, two proposed by the Odessa School District and one by Lincoln County Hospital District #1 (which is the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center).

Voters in the Odessa area have received their ballots requesting approval of three different levies supporting the local school and the local hospital district. Odessa’s school and medical facilities are important to those living here or thinking about living here.

The Educational Programs and Operations levy requested by the Odessa School District will cost taxpayers $2.04 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The levy funds programs outside of the state-defined basic education funding formula, including middle/high school athletics and activities, transportation outside of the basic school day, preschool programs and co-curricular activities. It also supports programs not adequately funded by the state, such as classified staffing, nutrition services, technology, curriculum and instructional materials, teachers, counselors and nurses.

The school’s Capital Projects levy will cost 37 cents per each $1,000 in assessed property value. This levy has been used in the past to replace sections of sidewalk, upgrade lighting, plumbing and HVAC operations, improve district security, upgrade the fire alarm system, replace flooring in many parts of the school and replace sections of the roof.

Kimberly C. Dalrymple, Chief Financial Officer at OMHC, has provided the following information on the hospital levy.

“Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center is your local healthcare facility and is focused on the healthcare needs of you, your friends and neighbors. 2020 was a challenging year for healthcare locally, as it was throughout the United States. Many healthcare facilities have had financial difficulties prior to and because of COVID. Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center saw some of the same challenges over the last year but continues to remain focused on providing the exceptional patient care this community needs. We appreciate the community support we have received through these challenging times.

“In February, voters are being asked to pass a tax levy at the estimated levy rate of $2.38 per $1,000 of assessed value upon all taxable property in the District. This levy is the same as last year and will help keep services running at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center in 2022. The levy is necessary due to continued reductions in reimbursement by Medicaid and many other commercial payers. The funds generated by the levy help the district pay part of the approximately $10 million in costs associated with operating and maintaining the facility. This will allow continued medical care for our local community. While Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center remains focused on keeping expenses down and bringing needed services to our community, the cost to keep our facility open continues to grow, and we know we can’t do it by ourselves. We strive to bring quality healthcare to this great community. Please call (509) 982-2611 if you have any questions. We will work hard to find the answers for you.”

Support for these levies over the years has been overwhelmingly positive. Ballots must be mailed on or before election day, Feb. 9, 2021.