Tanner requests election inquiry

Boundary County commissioners met with Steve Tanner on Dec. 12, regarding the recent Boundary Community Hospital Levy that passed in November’s election.

Tanner voiced concerns that the hospital used public and county funds to post literature that promoted the levy’s approval, but did not provide any negative effects it might have on the community.

Tanner requested an inquiry into the matter, and questioned whether or not it was legal for the hospital to conduct one-sided campaigning with public funds. He also wanted to know if there was a time limit in which an election result could be overturned.

Both Chief Elections Officer of the County Glenda Poston and Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney Tevis Hull were present and said they would research the issue and respond with some concrete answers within the next two weeks.

Commissioners approved the ballot measure asking voters to approve the two-year supplemental levy, as allowed by Idaho law, to generate an additional $414,000 per year for hospital purposes for two years. Cost for the levy will be $48 per $100,000 in real property assessed value.

The levy passed with 2,652 votes in favor and 2,496 opposed.

The issue will be revisited on Dec. 27.