By Joe Bachman
Editor

PORTAGE COUNTY — Local voters have possibly just saved Portage County Health Care Center.

Residents voted in favor of increasing property taxes by up to $1.4 million a year from 2019-2022, for a total of four years. This will result in an approximate 5.43 percent increase over the allowable levy by the state, and equates to a $24.48 annual increase in property taxes per $100,000 assessed value.

This keeps the 5-star medical facility operating for at least four years until a permanent funding solution can be worked out by county officials.

“I am thrilled beyond words to receive the support of the tax payers of this great count,” said District 3 County Supervisor Meleesa Johnson. “The Health Care Center Committee, the county board and staff now need to roll up their collective sleeves and develop actionalble solutions that will carry the Health Care Center to its next successful 100 years. I firmly believe we have a moral obligation to the weakest among us and I intend to do my utmost to meet that obligation.”

Chris Holman. Photo (Portage County)

The last two budget cycles in Wisconsin have seen cuts to Medicaid, leaving a deficit for funding each year. While this deficit has been traditionally paid for with county tax dollars, said funding has been shifted away from the health care center, leaving a financial gap for the facility.

Fortunately for the patients at the health care center, residents voted in favor of helping to fill that gap.

While County Executive Chris Holman will celebrate the passing referendum, he knows that there is still much work to do.

“This result is something to celebrate, but we’ve known from the beginning of this process that the referendum doesn’t address the fundamental questions surrounding the future of the Health Care Center,” said Holman. “If we look at this as buying four years to make a decision on an issue we’ve been grappling with for nearly two decades, I’m afraid we’ll continue down the ambiguous path we’ve been on.

That cannot happen. The time to act is now, and I’ll continue to lead the effort to find a long-term answer for the county, our community, and for the Health Care Center.”

The vote passed (unofficial) with 20,572 voting in favor, and 12,951 voting against.