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:
An open letter to Lincoln County supervisors:
On Aug. 20, 2024, we will be asked to vote on a resolution authorizing a binding resolution to raise the tax levy for the period 2025-2029. I have read the proposed resolution and my takeaway is that the proposed additional taxes are to pay the following items:

• An annual obligation to pay $440,000 from the tax levy under our management contract with NCHC.
• $400,000 yearly in salary and benefits for the four maintenance personnel permanently assigned to Pine Crest.
• $630,000 yearly to service the debt for the 2017 addition to Pine Crest.
• $1,200,000 per year to build up a reserve fund to repair and replace the elements of Pine Crest’s physical plant as they age.

These four items total an annual expense of $2,670,000. I believe we can fully fund Pine Crest for much less. The debt service is being paid out of Pine Crest’s operating revenue. This was true even when Pine Crest was running operational deficits in years past. Thus, there is no need to ask the taxpayers to foot this bill. Also, the salaries of the four permanently assigned maintenance workers have always been paid out of the County’s coffers without the need to increase taxes.The contractual obligation to pay $440,000 annually to NCHC was meant to bolster the operating budget of Pine Crest when it was running operating deficits. Now that Pine Crest is consistently operating in the black, we can and should negotiate with NCHC to eliminate this expense.
That just leaves the $1,200,000 annually to build up a reserve fund. Since we know that everything eventually wears out and must be replaced, I think putting aside money in a reserve fund makes sense. I also think that this expense is the only one we need to consider when voting for the proposed binding referendum.

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

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