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

Do our tax dollars subsidize the prison?
No, the prison pays the non-resident rate for ambulance transports, which is more than local residents
pay.

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 my property taxes increase by the same percent of my home’s assessed value?

No. We can only increase our revenue by 1 percent more per state law. Any amount higher than that must be approved by voters. This means that even if your property value increases by 20 percent, we can only collect 1 percent more (or any voter-approved increase).

Is there a homeowner’s exemption?

Yes. Homeowners who are 61 years or older and others who meet income and eligibility requirements may qualify for a property tax exemption. Contact the County Assessor’s Office to see if you qualify.

Where can I find more information?
More information is available at www. https://www.fcphd1.org/levy-lid-lift. Chief Ken Woffenden also
welcomes your questions at (509) 269-4900 chiefken2.0@hotmail.com.