Laurel voters to decide on sales tax referendum to help care center

LAUREL – Registered Laurel voters will have a local sales tax referendum to look out for after they receive their 2024 primary election ballots in the mail this week.

Laurel Mayor Keith Knudsen said passage of the referendum would raise local sales tax from 1 percent to 1.5 percent.

“Based on the last four years’ average sales in Laurel, the proposed .5 percentlocalsalestaxwouldpotentially generate $88,500 per year over the next 10 years,” Knudsen said.

“Thefundswouldbeutilizedtoprovide financial support for the maintenance anddailyoperationsofHillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living,” he said. “The additional funds could also help provide training programs for individuals interested in becoming a CNA (certified nursing assistant).”

InFebruary,theLaurelCityCouncil approvedanadditional$250,000line of credit to Hillcrest, a city-owned facility, to help fund its payroll and outstanding bills.

“This loan is a significant financial commitment, and transparency to taxpayers as to the financial status of Hillcrest is important,” Knudsen said.

At that same meeting, council members also approved a resolution to propose a May 14 primary election ballot question regarding a .5 percent salestaxtogeneratefundsforHillcrest.

“In the past several months, the councilhasapproveduptoa$500,000 lineofcreditfortheHillcrestCareCenter to help fund payroll and outstanding bills,” said Dan Kuhlman, interim Laurel city administrator. “This sales tax increase will help alleviate some of the burden on the nursing home and keep this vital business in our community.”

Knudsen noted Hillcrest’s goal is to provide high-quality care to its residents at a reasonable cost.

“They continue to hire as much local staff as possible,” Knudsen said. “Residentsbenefitfromhavingconsistent and familiar caregivers. Employment retention and attraction is vital for community success, and Hillcrest is one of the leading employers in the Laurel community.”

Knudsen encouraged community members “to be proactive as we work together to find solutions.”

“The elderly in our community deserve quality and affordable care and a place to call ‘home’ when the time comes,” Knudsen said.

Knudsen said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities are struggling, especially in rural areas.

“According to the Nebraska Examiner, 12 nursing homes and 17 assisted living homes have closed in Nebraska in the past three years due to lagging income and increased costs,” Knudsen said. “These closings have left 15 of the state’s 93 counties without healthcare facilities

of some kind, leading the Nebraska Health Care Association to label such areas as ‘care deserts.’

As Cedar County is a by-mail-only county, ballots for the May 14 primary election will be mailed to registered voters on April 24.

Ballots must be submitted to the county clerk’s office in Hartington by 8 p.m. Election

Day to count.

“It will take a simple majority of voters for the imposition of a local sales and use tax to pass,” Kuhlman said. “If a majority is not reached, the issue cannot be submitted to the voters again for at least 23 months.”