Paid Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public officials or written by others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication, its publishers, Editor, or staff.

To the Editor:
This is an open letter to all my fellow supervisors regarding the future of Pine Crest.
We are about to reconsider the issue of financing Pine Crest. Last year the Board considered a resolution that would have provided for a binding referendum on the issue of raising additional property taxes to fund Pine Crest. At that time five items of expense were under consideration. The five items were said to total $4,500,000:

• $441,000 from the tax levy to support Pine Crest operating revenues,
• A $1,000,000 annual operating loss,
• A $630,000 debt service expense,
• $2,000,000 annually for repairs and replacement, and
• $400,000 yearly for the salary and benefits of the four maintenance staff assigned to Pine Crest.
  Going forward, Pine Crest’s annual expenses will be nothing like $4,500,000. Now and for the foreseeable future, Pine Crest’s operating budget will be in the black. That eliminates the need to pay for a $1 million annual operating loss. It also eliminates the $630,000 annual debt service because it is being paid out of operating revenues. Because Pine Crest operations are in the black, we should also be able to negotiate the elimination, or at least the reduction of, the $441,000 annual payment from the tax levy to bolster Pine Crest’s operating revenue.
  I am open to any option that will fund the diminished Pine Crest expenses with the least amount of pain to the taxpayer. As we address the future of Pine Crest, we should welcome the ideas of all supervisors and the public. We should not freeze anyone out of the discussion of how to preserve our nursing home for future generations.
  Thank you for your anticipated consideration.

-Donald Dunphy, Merrill, Wis.
County Board Supervisor, District 7

The cost for Paid Letters to the Editor is $40.00 per letter of up to 250 words, plus $10.00 per additional 50 words, and must be prepaid prior to printing.