Levy - Frequently Asked Questions
What’s on my ballot?
Franklin County Public Hospital District #1 is asking voters to fund three full-time emergency medical personnel and renovate a station to provide sleeping quarters to reduce response times.
Why is my Public Hospital District asking for this?
Franklin County Public Hospital District #1 responds to medical emergencies, auto accidents and is the only agency with ambulances to transport patients to area hospitals. Call volumes have increased 21% in the last two years and we do not have enough personnel to respond to calls. We also require renovations to a station to accommodate personnel to provide a faster response.
Why don’t fire districts provide this service?
It’s more cost-effective for fire districts to respond to structure or wildland fires and technical emergencies. We provide the ambulance service and medical professionals to transport patients to area hospitals.
When is the last time you asked for a tax increase?
Franklin County Public Hospital District #1 has never asked for a tax increase since it was formed in 1945. The Hospital District’s levy rate at that time was $2.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. In 2023, it has fallen to $0.18 per $1,000.
Why do levy rates fall?
Levy rates fall as property values rise to limit our Public Hospital District to the same amount of revenue per year (plus a 1% increase and new construction). By dropping the levy rate, the amount of revenue we receive stays almost the same as assessed property values rise.
How much will it cost?
The cost would be an additional $0.22 per $1,000 (or $22 per $100,000 of your assessed property value). Please note that the assessed value of your property may be less than its market value. The chart below shows you the projected cost:
| Assessed Property Value | Cost Per Year | Cost Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| $ 50,000 | $ 11 | $0.92 |
| $100,000 | $ 22 | $1.83 |
| $150,000 | $ 33 | $2.75 |
| $200,000 | $ 44 | $3.67 |
| $300,000 | $ 66 | $5.50 |
| $400,000 | $ 88 | $7.33 |
| $500,000 | $110 | $9.17 |
Didn’t you just receive a grant to buy ambulances?
Yes. We secured a federal grant from the county for ambulances and medical equipment that need to be replaced. The grant cannot be used for other items, like personnel or station renovations, but it does help reduce the amount of revenue needed from taxpayers. The full-time personnel that are needed to respond to calls require ongoing funding and cannot be funded through a one-time grant award.
Do our taxes increase by the same amount that my property does?
No, our Public Hospital District, like all local governments, is limited to a 1% revenue increase per year. If the assessed value of your property increases by 20%, we still can only increase our budget by 1%, which is shared by all property owners.
Where can I find more information?
More information is available at https://www.fcphd1.org/levy-lid-lift. Chief Ken Woffenden also welcomes your questions at (509) 269-4900 or chiefken2.0@hotmail.com.