Letter to the Editor: SF 69 will negatively impact the county’s service providers

Dear editor:

We hope that our elected officials are looking out for our best interests and those of our institutions.  However, Wyoming Senate File 69 negatively impacts many service providers Big Horn County residents take for granted, including Three Rivers Healthcare Hospital.  

The passage of this recent legislation means residential property owners will see a 25% tax cut.  The loss of this revenue results in our hospital seeing a roughly $150,000 cut from our hospital district board account, which is designated for capital improvements, maintenance and repair.  

Therefore, if a key piece of equipment fails, there may not be adequate funds to replace or repair it; consequently, services may not be locally available to southern Big Horn County residents.  

In addition, the annual loss of $150,000 adversely impacts capital improvement planning and the ability for our hospital to expand services. These funds are also available at the hospital board’s discretion for challenging times when the hospital can’t meet operational obligations.  Without these funds, our hospital operations are less fiscally viable, which negatively impacts services provided as well.  

As a critical access hospital with an emergency room, Three Rivers Healthcare provides lifesaving services that have saved many lives since it was established.  The health of our hospital depends on community support and support from those representing us in Cheyenne. 

Jeff Petty, chairman, board of directors, South Big Horn County Hospital District (Three Rivers Healthcare)