PCHS Hospital District FAQs and review

As Election Day approaches on November 3, this serves as a timely review of the governance structure of Perkins County Health Services (PCHS). PCHS was established as a hospital district through a ballot initiative approved during the primary election on May 10, 1994. A total of 1,100 votes were cast, with 748 voting in favor and 352 opposed.

Two key provisions were established when PCHS became a hospital district:

1. A clearly defined Board of Directors structure.

2. Tax levy support authorized at a maximum of 3.5 mills.

PCHS is governed by a five-member Board of Directors that is publicly elected. Board members serve staggered four-year terms and are limited to two terms per seat. Elections are held during the May primary election in even-numbered years. This governance structure has remained in place since voters approved the hospital district in 1994. In the most recent election, held in May,

Jeff Skeels, Melissa Wilson, and Lori Day were elected to new four-year terms.

The 3.5-mill levy is a continuing provision of the hospital district structure, but it must be reauthorized by voters every five years. Most recently, Perkins County voters renewed the levy in 2022 by a vote of 513 in favor and 241 opposed. As reported in the Tribune and other communications, the next five-year renewal period will cover 2027 through 2032.

PCHS uses levy funds specifically for capital improvement projects. Although the statutory ballot language refers to supporting “general operations,” levy proceeds are not used for routine operating expenses. Instead, the funds are dedicated to facility reinvestment and annual capital improvement needs.

For additional information or questions regarding this review, please contact Neil Hilton, PCHS CEO, at 352-7245.