COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Officials for Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility and Rehabilitation are expressing disappointment after Branch County voters overwhelmingly said no to a five year millage request that would have been used to help fund the operation of the facility.
The request to raise $1-point-6 million annually over the next five years was trounced by almost 2,900 votes. The final tally was 9,193 voting no while 6,280 said yes.
The millage was requested because Maple Lawn officials claimed they had to deal with drastic increases in costs and a decrease in revenues because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They also pointed out a difficult job market led to the Maple Lawn census being much lower which made for a significant revenue loss.
A statement on the Maple Lawn Facebook page said, “This is not the outcome we were looking for, and leaves us in a vulnerable position to continue providing care to your loved ones and friends. We will continue to work through the financial issues Maple Lawn is facing from the continuation of the pandemic and proceed with our organization’s goals. We are honored to be a part of this community since 1860, and hope to continue to provide high-quality medical care in the future. We appreciate those who supported us with a yes vote.”
But questions have been raised by some community members about how the facility has been managed.
A divided Branch County Board of Commissioners decided in August to advance Maple Lawn $1 million and put the five year millage question on Tuesday’s ballot.
The $1 million advance would be paid in $250,000 increments.
Branch County is not in the health care business. Don’t get me wrong Maple Lawn is fantastic but you have to run it like a business .