Portage County Health Care Center. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – After a contentious discussion Tuesday, a referendum which would have funded the Portage County Health Care Center was turned down by the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
The referendum had required at least 75 percent “yes” votes to advance to the April ballot, but instead received 16 “no” votes out of 24.
It had proposed allowing the county to raise the tax levy limit by $3.5 million per year for the next 20 years.
Those from the public in favor of the referendum had encouraged the board to not delay the decision, and that there will continue to be a need for the center.
“There’s a silver tsunami coming. The aging baby-boom generation needs the five-star services only the health care center delivers,” said Nancy Roppe.
Others had argued the referendum would raise taxes by too much and insisted the county should consider selling the facility.
Multiple supervisors made their case to deny the referendum not because they didn’t necessarily support the cause. “Right now we’re using estimate numbers, I think it’s a good thing if we can use exact numbers, especially if we’re talking about $3.5 million for the next 20 years,” said Matthew Jacowski, who represents District 22 in Portage County.
Scott Soik of District 19 was one of many to suggest attempting to put the referendum on the ballot in November. “If we truly want to take this to the voters, then we should take it to as many voters as possible, and that would be in November, when we will have 100% more voter turnout,” Soik said.
County Board Chair Al Haga explained turnout in November 2020 was more than double the turnout in April 2022 in Portage County, the same election a similar referendum for the Portage County Health Care Center had passed, worth $4.5 million per year.
The decision to vote down the referendum does not mean a similar resolution can be brought up in the future.
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