MONROE - Local cancer care services may be available in coming years if Monroe Clinic and city officials are able to agree on the creation of a Tax Increment Finance District, which would make the project affordable for the health care facility.
Mike Sanders, president and CEO of Monroe Clinic, noted TID funding serves as incentive to provide more facilities. He said without financial assistance from what would be TID 10 for the city, the proposed projects will not happen.
Currently, Monroe Clinic is tearing down its 1938 and 1950 portions of the St. Clare Center. The creation of a radiation and oncology wing, as well as the retention of in-hospital laundry services, is a separate endeavor.
"The new building is going to happen whether this goes forward or not," Sanders said. "It's expensive in terms of a capital project, which is why we're asking for assistance to get this to go."
Sanders added cancer therapy has been considered "for a few years" and that as one of the few hospitals with in-house laundry, Monroe Clinic would like to keep services to retain local jobs.
Monroe Common Council members told City Administrator Phil Rath on Tuesday to proceed with planning. Rath said his intent was to first instruct Greg Johnson of financial planning company Ehlers and Associates Inc. to draft the anticipated cost of the TID. Rath said the findings could be presented during council proceedings on June 6, when company representatives are expected to present the cost of creating TID 9 on nearly 100 acres of land along County N and Wisconsin 81. The land, recently acquired by the city, is commonly referred to as "the Dolan property."
If prompted by council members to continue once costs are evaluated, the second part of planning includes meetings between Ehlers financial managers and city committees, such as the Plan Commission. Rath said the third and final portion of establishing the TID would be to file for approval with the state.
Referred to as a PayGo, or pay-as-you-go, agreement, Monroe Clinic would be providing initial funding for the projects. The city would not borrow money to create the TID but instead would provide reimbursement to the health care facility through tax money accrued within the district. This would mean less revenue to the city through its tax base, but it would add beneficial development to Monroe, Rath said.
The therapy and treatment center would also create up to 10 new local jobs, he added.
Sanders told council members that Monroe Clinic, while serving as a nonprofit, also pays property taxes. He said it is the largest tax contributor to the city as well as Green County.
Cancer services would keep people within Monroe, rather than add the burden of driving to a city farther away, like Madison.
Council member Brooke Bauman said she views the plan for additional cancer care services as "a great asset to the community," but also to out-of-town patients who would prefer to visit Monroe than drive to a Madison or Freeport facility. If it serves 100 people annually up to four times per week, it would affect a number of family members as well and bring non-residents into the city, she added.
Mike Sanders, president and CEO of Monroe Clinic, noted TID funding serves as incentive to provide more facilities. He said without financial assistance from what would be TID 10 for the city, the proposed projects will not happen.
Currently, Monroe Clinic is tearing down its 1938 and 1950 portions of the St. Clare Center. The creation of a radiation and oncology wing, as well as the retention of in-hospital laundry services, is a separate endeavor.
"The new building is going to happen whether this goes forward or not," Sanders said. "It's expensive in terms of a capital project, which is why we're asking for assistance to get this to go."
Sanders added cancer therapy has been considered "for a few years" and that as one of the few hospitals with in-house laundry, Monroe Clinic would like to keep services to retain local jobs.
Monroe Common Council members told City Administrator Phil Rath on Tuesday to proceed with planning. Rath said his intent was to first instruct Greg Johnson of financial planning company Ehlers and Associates Inc. to draft the anticipated cost of the TID. Rath said the findings could be presented during council proceedings on June 6, when company representatives are expected to present the cost of creating TID 9 on nearly 100 acres of land along County N and Wisconsin 81. The land, recently acquired by the city, is commonly referred to as "the Dolan property."
If prompted by council members to continue once costs are evaluated, the second part of planning includes meetings between Ehlers financial managers and city committees, such as the Plan Commission. Rath said the third and final portion of establishing the TID would be to file for approval with the state.
Referred to as a PayGo, or pay-as-you-go, agreement, Monroe Clinic would be providing initial funding for the projects. The city would not borrow money to create the TID but instead would provide reimbursement to the health care facility through tax money accrued within the district. This would mean less revenue to the city through its tax base, but it would add beneficial development to Monroe, Rath said.
The therapy and treatment center would also create up to 10 new local jobs, he added.
Sanders told council members that Monroe Clinic, while serving as a nonprofit, also pays property taxes. He said it is the largest tax contributor to the city as well as Green County.
Cancer services would keep people within Monroe, rather than add the burden of driving to a city farther away, like Madison.
Council member Brooke Bauman said she views the plan for additional cancer care services as "a great asset to the community," but also to out-of-town patients who would prefer to visit Monroe than drive to a Madison or Freeport facility. If it serves 100 people annually up to four times per week, it would affect a number of family members as well and bring non-residents into the city, she added.