by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington City Council will be discussing an ordinance asking voters for a sales tax increase to help fund Sumner Regional Medical Center at Tuesday night’s regular scheduled meeting at the council chambers.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting is as follows:Wellington City Council meeting agenda – Feb. 21, 2012

If the council does vote to put the proposal to the voters it will be held April 3, 2012 in congruence with the Wellington City Council general election.

Currently, the ordinance does not have a specific value attached to it in the agenda as in the amount of sales tax increase and the amount of time for the specific tax. The council is awaiting on input from the Sumner County Commissioners to see if the county will kick in revenue toward the hospital. Wellington City Manager Gus Collins is scheduled to meet with the commissioners on Tuesday to see what kind of financial assistance can be provided by the county.

During a city council work session on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Collins recommended asking Sumner County to direct a portion of the funds from the countywide sales tax (one half of one percent, effective April, 1, 2011 and expiring April 2014) to SRMC with the justification that about one third of SRMC patients reside outside the city of Wellington. The referendum could then be to increase the citywide support of one-quarter percent to one-half percent, dedicated to SRMC.

Collins said that using a combination of the existing city sales tax revenue, county assistance and a sales tax proposal would bring an additional $1.175 million to SRMC. He said this scenario would minimize the tax burden of the Wellington citizens.

According to financial reports provided at a recent SRMC meeting, the hospital experienced a net income of $76,998 in January 2012. After subtracting the tax support for the month, the income was $49,381. Year-to-date in 2011, the loss was $177,499 including the tax support and $460,549 excluding the tax supporter.

The sales tax proposal appears to be gaining opposition amongst Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce members. WACC executive director Shelley Hansel said in a memo that some of the members are voicing concern over the sales tax increase.