What is the Nor-Lea Hospital District Mill Levy?
A mill levy is a property tax that it is applied to property based on it’s assessed value. This property tax is used to fund public services, such as Nor-Lea Hospital District. Nor-Lea has two mill allotments that make up the 4 mill levy, a 1.5 mill and 2.5 mill voted on separately, over 4 year increments.
Our hospital district has a board of 5 elected members that represent various areas of the Lovington and Tatum School Districts. It is crucial to know your board members as they represent your interest in the hospital. As a hospital district, we are able to levy a tax on residents in support of our organization, a small price for the significant benefits we provide.
Nor-Lea Hospital District Mill Levy with
Nor-Lea CEO / Administrator, David Shaw
How are Mill Levy funds used?
Maintenance and operations
Physician recruitment
Supplies
Contracts
Renovations to the facility
Salaries, benefits, wages and more….
Emergency Room Renovations
Recently Nor-Lea embarked on an ambitious $4.5 million renovation of our emergency room. The renovation was shaped by the feedback, suggestions and observations of our patients. This renovation allows more privacy and safety for patients and their families during their most vulnerable moments. Renovations included private rooms, a behavioral health unit, private bathrooms and expanded nursing stations.
Lovington Wellness Center
Nor-Lea is on a mission to create a healthier community, increase quality of live and enhance lives. In this pursuit, Nor-Lea built Lovington Wellness Center, a 42,000 sq. ft. fitness facility in Lovington that includes a competition pool, warm water therapy pool, group exercise classes, indoor track, indoor NBA regulation gymnasium, fitness equipment, rock climbing wall and smoothie bar. This facility provides a space for residents to engage in a healthier lifestyle and participate in fitness activities.
Impacting the Community
Mill Levy funds are used for maintenance and operations of Nor-Lea Hospital District, including:
Nor-Lea has expanded greatly over the years, growing to meet the needs of our patients. We currently employ over 600 staff members and serve as Lea County’s second largest employer. Our workforce contributes greatly to the local economy by investing their paychecks, salaries and benefits into the businesses and services of the area. Additionally, our specialty and ancillary services bring patients in from all over West TX and SE NM who also stimulate our local economy. Mill Levy funds have also contributed to an increased number of specialty services providers at Nor-Lea, including Nytisha Smith, PMHNP-BC, an experienced mental health nurse practitioner, serving children and adolescent patients.
Quality of life is greatly increased by the services provided at Nor-Lea Cancer Center. Mill Levy receipts are used to support the operations, services, staff and providers at the cancer center who, in turn, support our patients and their families in the fight against cancer. Before we started our cancer program, our cancer mortality rates were some of the worst in the nation and now are on par with the best in the country.
How Funds are NOT Used
Mill Levy receipts are not used for operations outside The District. Nor-Lea offers many services in the Hobbs area through partnerships including, Lea County, Hobbs Municipal School District, the City of Hobbs and New Mexico Junior College. These partners provide the spaces we operate out of and other necessary resources to serve patients outside The District. These patients typically become more engaged with The District through ancillary and specialty care. This brings more business to Nor-Lea and allows our services to grow for those living in The District.