Voters okay tax increase for hospital

Boundary County voters on Tuesday agreed to a property tax increase to support Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry.

A levy that will generate $335,000 annually for the hospital for two years was approved by 1,141 to 913.

“We would like to express our appreciation on behalf of the trustees, staff and voters for approving the supplemental levy,” said Craig Johnson, the hospital’s chief executive and chief financial officer.

“I think people realize how important the hospital is to the community for both health care and as one of the major employers,” Johnson said Wednesday.

The hospital’s 180 employees are paid $5.2 million annually.

When property owners received their tax bills in December, the owner of a $150,000 home with a homeowner’s exemption can expect to pay an additional $34. Homeowners qualify for the exemption if they live in the home. Those without an exemption would pay $68 for the year.

Money from the levy will be used to:

• Replace beds, which were purchased 20 years ago from Sacred Heart in Spokane, Wash.

• Purchase new laundry equipment. BCH processes more than 600 pounds of laundry daily with equipment that’s more than 20 years old.

• Buy a gastroscope. Right now the hospital does colonoscopies, but cannot do the procedure that allows doctors to look down the throat.

• Upgrade the computer system to comply with federal billing requirements and to keep BCH connected to other health providers.

• A new operating table and anesthesia machine now that the rate of outpatient surgery has increased.

• A special X-Ray machine used during surgery.

Johnson was “guardedly optimistic” about voters approving the levy.

“We hadn’t heard a lot of negative,” he said. “We know some people out there were faced with a tough decision with increasing taxes, especially in light of the current economic uncertainties. This will help improve patient safety and expand a variety of services to allow people to receive health care at home and maintain jobs.”