Open Letter to Citizens of Fairfield Hospital District:
We wish to thank the citizens for their long-term support of Fairfield Hospital District (FHD) which was founded by local citizens in 1987. During our 30+ years we have been an independent hospital, a lease facility directed by ETMC, and now we have returned to independent status. It has become increasingly difficult to keep medical services in the rural communities. There has been declining support from federal and state officials for rural hospitals. In the world of politics, it is not uncommon for the officials to support services where larger populations (votes) can be impacted. However, for those of us who prefer living and raising our kids/grandkids in a relaxed rural environment, we are required to make adjustments to keep medical services for our citizens.
Since 1987 our tax rate cap has been 12 cents. During most of our existence we have been substantially below the cap. When we returned to independent status, we felt that it was necessary to seek approval from state legislature to hold an election and ask our local citizens to establish a new tax rate cap. In June 2017, Governor Abbott signed HB183 allowing us to call a special election for FHD citizens to decide about the future of our local medical services. If the citizens approve a new tax rate cap, the Board will continue to be as conservative as possible on behalf of themselves and all other tax payers. Once we receive the certified taxable values this summer, the elected FHD Board will be able to determine the tax rate that they will propose.
We have been holding early voting at the Fairfield ISD administration office since April 22nd, and that opportunity for early voting ends April 30th. The official election date will be Saturday, May 4th at Fairfield City Hall from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The ballot is FOR or AGAINST “The increase by the Fairfield Hospital District of the maximum rate of annual taxes imposed for hospital purposes to a rate not to exceed 25 cents on each $100.00 valuation of all taxable property in the district.”
All facilities of the Freestone Medical Center (FMC) campus are all paid for and jointly owned by the citizens of Fairfield Hospital District. This includes the ER, Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, EMS building and the old clinic. The FHD Board paid for up-grades and improvements as projects were completed, so that the local tax payer would not be obligated for 20-year bonds and/or extended debt service.
The Fairfield Hospital District Board understands and values the positive economic impact that Freestone Medical Center makes to our local economy. We realize that basic routine health care is essential in maintaining good health, and that the necessity of local Emergency Medical services can be critical during a crisis or injury. The Board also acknowledges that when a community has a hospital, clinic and ER, it is more likely to recruit new businesses and light industry jobs.
When ETMC-Tyler made the determination to leave Fairfield (and 6 other communities) they realized how challenging and costly the maintenance of rural medical facilities was becoming. Currently, only Freestone Medical Center (of the 7 rural facilities formally ETMC) has been capable of providing continuous medical services to the community. It continues to be the personal and professional objective of the FHD Board and FMC staff to serve the medical needs of Fairfield and surrounding area.
Respectfully;
George Robinson – President
Jeff Taylor – Vice President
Andy Awalt – Secretary
Carman Mannen – Member
Dr. David Lott – Member
Vance Oglesbee – Member
Dr. Brent Moore – Member
Tony Price – FHD Administrator
