A proposed tax rate increase of 21.5 cents was passed by the Fairfield Hospital District during an open door meeting Thursday, August 1st, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.


Previously, eighty-six percent of voters approved raising the tax cap from .12 cents to .25 cents just a few months ago in May.


The proposed tax rate increase will cause a raise in taxes of approximately $98.00 annually per every $100k of taxable valued property.


The Brown mine’s closing as well as less oil and gas production in the area have caused the taxes to become static with nothing to replace the tax revenue that was once being brought in.


The certified taxable values have fallen $83 million since last year, with April preliminary values being down almost $192 million.


In January of 2017 the Board of Trustees faced a challenge when forming the non-profit hospital: How to run a hospital?


John Yeary, CEO of Freestone Medical Center (FMC), said they tightened their belts, and worked hard to do everything they could for their community. Even having reduced cost by 1 million this past year.


Texas currently has 136 Hospital Districts. Eight collect no tax; eleven do not operate a hospital.


FHD is currently the 101st lowest tax rate, at 11 cents, among the 117 districts operating a hospital.


If the new rate is accepted, FHD would be the 70th lowest rate among the 117 districts.


Medical costs have been rising; equipment, supplies, employees, and the variety of mundane things that keeps a hospital running day to day have become more expensive


According to Yeary the rate increase will aid in hiring new Physicians. Currently three physicians work at the FMC, but more are needed moving forward.


The hospital currently employees 135 people, with around 100 of them being full-time employees.


Between all the different services offered inside of FCM they see approximately 4,100 patients per month, including an average of four people a day in a bed.


According to Chief Nursing Officer, Nicki Hagen, RN, BSN, sixty people are transported a month to another facility due to life-threatening problems.


If the hospital did not exist a person’s survival window would shrink, and their survival odds would go down.


Yeary explains that there is a ‘golden hour’ in medical care. The first hour after a major health crisis is how long you have to stabilize the person.


The hospital offers indigent care, and will continue to do so. This is another area that has a high cost.


A portion of the budget, $50,000, is set aside to donate to the EMS for the purchase of new equipment.


The Hospital District has continuously and methodically upgraded the hospital. Some of the upgrades are the new emergency room, and the drastic improvement on the rooms.


The HD is currently debt free. No money is owed on any of the improvements made.


FMC offers many services:
–Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist
–General Surgeon
–Podiatrist
–Urologist
–Neurologist
–Cardiologist
–Orthopedic Surgeon
–Laboratory
–X-Ray
–Inpatient services
–Outpatient services
–Emergency Room


Tony Price explained that the combination of the services works in a symbiotic relationship. One service does not properly function without the assistance brought by the others.


There will be two public hearings: one on August 15th, 2019 and second on August 20th, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the Freestone Medical Center’s lobby to allow the public to express their views on the proposed tax rate.


The Fairfield Hospital District Board includes members President George Robinson, Vice-President Jeff Taylor, Secretary Andy Awalt, Board members Carmen Mannen, Brent Moore and Vance Oglesbee, and Executive Assistant Tony Price.


Price states that, FHD strives to continue the health care the community has grown accustomed to over the past 100 years. The proposed tax rate increase is one of the ways they intend to keep up the good work.