Debra Button, Mayor of Weyburn, announced on January 20 that the City would be mailing a survey to all households in Weyburn to seek feedback on funding for the proposed new hospital.
The Weyburn General Hospital is over 60 years old and due for replacement.
"City Council is, of course, very supportive of the new hospital proposal. However, this will be a major infrastructure cost for the city. We owe it to municipal taxpayers to make sure we have broad support for our approach to this project," Button said.
Button emphasized that the City has no direct influence either over whether or not a new hospital project proceeds or over any specific facilities or programs offered by the hospital.
"The only aspect of this project we can influence is to ensure that there is an adequate local funding support. The provincial government wants to see 20 per cent of the capital construction funding for a new hospital coming from local sources. A portion of this money has and will continue to come from fundraising and corporate donations. However, the Hospital Foundation has also requested that taxpayers from Weyburn and surrounding communities contribute to the project through a special levy," said Button.
The City is looking for feedback from residents in order to determine the amount of the City's contribution to the project. The survey outlines the annual tax implications of a $6 million, $7 million or $10 million contribution.
"Our city government is committed to being responsive to our taxpayers. I strongly encourage every household in the city to send in the survey so that we can hear from the people who are paying the bills," Button said.
The survey has been mailed out to residents along with a pamphlet from the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. The simple, non-binding survey can be easily returned via post or directly to City Hall.
