2026 South Lincoln Hospital District Mill Levy
On November 3, voters within South Lincoln Hospital District will decide whether to increase the District’s mill levy from 3 mills to 6 mills.
South Lincoln Hospital District has served this community for generations, providing hospital care, emergency services, long-term care, clinics, pharmacy services, rehabilitation and more. The measure asks residents to decide the level of local tax support available to help sustain these services in the years ahead.
Care in our community
South Lincoln Hospital District is more than a hospital. It is a network of healthcare services available to the people who live, work and raise families in our communities.
A 16-bed Critical Access Hospital with emergency, inpatient and swing-bed care.
Emergency response when and where it is needed.
A 24-bed long-term care facility providing around-the-clock resident and nursing care.
Clinic access in Kemmerer, along with primary and pediatric care through Arrowhead Family Medicine in Evanston.
Laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, surgery and visiting specialty care.
Physical, occupational and speech therapy services.
Fiscal Year 2026
What voters are deciding
South Lincoln Hospital District currently receives 3 mills of property-tax support. The November ballot measure asks voters whether that amount should increase by 3 additional mills, bringing the total to 6 mills.
Wyoming law allows a hospital district levy of up to 6 mills, with voter approval required to increase the levy beyond 3 mills. Read W.S. 35-2-414 (PDF).
According to the District’s 2026 materials, the additional assessment would begin in July 2027 if approved.
Ballot Question Provided by the District
“Shall the South Lincoln Hospital District increase the District’s Mill Levy from the current three (3) Mills to six (6) Mills, to continue to provide funding to support the South Lincoln Hospital, Nursing Center, and Emergency Ambulance Services?”
The cost to property owners
per month, or $74.64 per year, for a home valued at $261,900.
Before exemptions or other tax relief, using a 9.5% assessment ratio.
Home value × 9.5% × 0.003 = estimated annual increase.
For every $100,000 in home value, the estimate is $28.50 per year, or about $2.38 per month.
This example estimates only the proposed 3-mill increase for residential property within the District, using an assumed 9.5% assessment ratio. It does not apply exemptions, tax relief, or future valuation changes. Monthly amounts are annual estimates divided by 12, not a billing schedule. Your actual tax may differ; confirm your taxable assessed value with the county assessor. This is an illustration, not an individual tax determination.
Why now?
The District’s 2026 materials report lower mill levy revenue while patient volume remained relatively consistent. The need for emergency care, senior care and ambulance response did not decline at the same rate.
Then and now
The District’s historical comparison estimates how inflation has changed the purchasing power of mill levy funding.
In practical terms, today’s levy revenue buys less staffing, equipment, fuel, supplies and care than the earlier level of funding would buy today.
Inflation-adjusted figures are estimates provided in the District’s 2026 materials.
Where the money goes
The request addresses ongoing capital and operational needs. Mill levy funds have historically supported infrastructure and general operations and help maintain hospital, nursing center and ambulance services.
Supporting the staffing necessary to provide care.
Maintaining hospital, ER and ambulance services that must be ready when needed.
Maintaining buildings and infrastructure necessary for patient care.
Supporting medical equipment and other essential operational needs.
Supporting continued local care for nursing-center residents.
Helping meet the costs required to keep healthcare services available.
These are areas of support, not a proposed allocation of specific dollar amounts.
Why a hospital district?
South Lincoln Hospital District exists because this community chose to create it. Local voters established the District in 1960 to help ensure healthcare remained available in South Lincoln County.
66 years of community-supported healthcare.
Today, the elected five-member Board of Trustees oversees a healthcare system that includes the hospital, nursing center, EMS and associated services.
Looking ahead
South Lincoln County is preparing for potential growth associated with new industry and temporary workers coming into the region. SLHD expects those changes to create additional healthcare demand over the next several years.
The question facing the District is how to maintain healthcare services today and prepare to serve a changing community tomorrow.
Two possible outcomes
The District’s levy would increase from 3 mills to 6 mills. According to the District’s materials, the additional assessment would begin in July 2027. Additional revenue would support ongoing capital and operational needs associated with hospital, nursing center and emergency ambulance services.
The District would remain at 3 mills. SLHD expects funding pressures to continue. The future scope of services would have to be evaluated based on available funding and long-term sustainability.
Your questions
A mill levy is a property-tax rate applied to the assessed value of property within a taxing district. One mill is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value. Assessed value is different from a home’s market value.
The District was created by local voters to help ensure healthcare remained available in South Lincoln County. Mill levy funding has historically supported infrastructure and general operations, including hospital, nursing center and ambulance services.
The District reports declining levy revenue, ongoing capital and operational needs, and potential additional healthcare demand. The measure asks voters whether to increase local property-tax support from 3 mills to 6 mills.
Using the illustrative 9.5% assessment ratio before exemptions or tax relief, three additional mills equal $28.50 per year for every $100,000 in home value. See the example and estimate your cost. Actual taxes depend on taxable assessed value and applicable relief.
According to the District’s 2026 materials, the additional assessment would begin in July 2027 if the measure is approved.
The additional revenue would support ongoing capital and operational needs associated with hospital, nursing center and emergency ambulance services. Areas of support include staffing, facilities, equipment and day-to-day operations.
The District would remain at 3 mills. SLHD expects continued funding pressures and would evaluate the future scope of services based on available funding and long-term sustainability.
Contact Dave Ryerse using the information below. Questions about the levy, District finances, services and future plans are welcome.
Ask us
We want residents to have the information they need to understand the mill levy measure and what it means for South Lincoln Hospital District. Questions about the levy, SLHD’s finances, services or future plans are welcome.
Tuesdays, 3–4 p.m., or other times as needed.
Please call to confirm the meeting location or arrange another time.
Voter information
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
General Election · Polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
For most voters, absentee voting runs October 6 through November 2. Completed absentee ballots must reach the county clerk by 7 p.m. on November 3. Wyoming also provides Election Day registration; check the official registration and identification requirements before you go.
Learn the facts. Understand the impact. Make your voice heard.
Election dates: Wyoming Secretary of State. Confirm your polling place, eligibility and ballot information with your county clerk.
