Commissioners advance library $30,000, set public hearing on special purpose tax

The Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss a special purpose tax initiative and set a date for a public hearing for the Hospital District Initiative as well as resolve the budget crisis involving the Hot Springs County Library.

Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital CEO Robin Roling presented a resolution for consideration of a special purpose tax of one percent that would go toward the construction of new patient care areas as well as remodeling the current building, in the amount of $16.4 million.

Chairman Brad Basse asked if the $16.4 million was the total amount of the sales tax the hospital is trying to collect.

“That’s the cost of the project including the construction and interest,” Roling said. “That is the amount that we are requesting from the sales tax.”

Basse explained that special purpose taxes require approval from the majority of municipalities.

Vice-chairman John Lumley suggested setting a date for a public hearing to allow more public input.

Basse made a motion to set the public hearing at 7 p.m. June 21 to allow public input and to allow flexibility with their normal meeting schedule. The motion was approved by the board.

The commissioners also discussed an apartment lease/purchase with the hospital.

Roling said the hospital currently owns apartments across the street from the building but they are not in great shape. She said they need to be removed, and they would like to move forward on a lease/purchase of property on East Arapaho, almost directly across from Gottsche Rehabilitation Center.

Chairman Tom Ryan made a motion to approve the lease with an option to purchase at $285,000 with credit for $18,000 paid to lease.

The Hot Springs County Library director Tracey Kinnaman addressed the board regarding the recent budget crisis.

“We have two things to address today concerning the library,” she said. “First there is the $20,000 over-budget problem.”

Kinnaman said her current budget is $62,828 or $42,828 without the $20,000 that should be in the reserve.

“$42,828 is what I have left in an accurate budget for the next three months,” she said. “That leaves me approximately $14,000 a month to spend.”

To resolve the $20,000 over-budget problem, Kinnaman said she eliminated one position already and stopped all spending at the library. She also said she had a few outstanding bills in the amount of approximately $400.

“You’ll see in the line items, by eliminating that one position and possibly eliminating a second position, that’ll leave me with $14,396,” she said. “The beast is the wage cost. You’ll also see where I’ve eliminated my book budget, my maintenance and totally eliminated Adult Services. That all adds up to $20,000.”

There was no mention of any reduction in salaries for any remaining library employees.

Ryan made a motion to advance the library $30,000, which was approved by the board.

Lumley advised Kinnaman to be as conservative with the budget as possible.