Voters may see hike in hospital tax levy
May 15th, 2008 - 6:26am
(Port Angeles) -- Olympic Medical Center officials have introduced a tax levy resolution that could boost property taxes in the Port Angeles - Sequim area.
At a special meeting last night, OMC chief executive officer Eric Lewis outlined the reasons behind the proposed increase in the tax levy.
Commissioners will ask for public input at a meeting next Wednesday before taking a board vote that could send a property tax levy to the primary election ballot in August.
OMC currently collects 11 cents per thousand dollars of valuation on property in the hospital district for the east half of Clallam County.
Right now, the owner of a 250-thousand dollar house in pays 27 dollars and 50 cents a year on the hospital's tax levy -- or 2 dollars and 29 cents a month.
OMC officials want to increase that amount by 33 cents per thousand annually -- four times the current level -- putting the tax levy at 44 cents per thousand.
For the owner of a 250-thousand dollar house, the new tax levy would mean an increase of 82-dollars and 50 cents a year -- or an additional 6 dollars and 88 cents a month.
At 44 cents per thousand, the owner of a 250-thousand dollar house would pay 110 dollars per year or 9 dollars, 17 cents per month.
State law allows hospital districts to collect 75 cents per thousand.
OMC's current levy brings in just over 825-thousand dollars of its annual budget of 119 million dollars.
The new proposal would increase the levy revenue to more than 3-point-3 million dollars.
Lewis says OMC needs the money to maintain a strong, locally owned hospital, while maintaining and improving current services and facilities.
There would also be a continuing focus on maintaining and improving quality and service at O-M-C while making needed investments in medical equipment and technology.
Lewis says proposed specific uses of the levy would be for emergency room costs and inpatient services, such as medical equipment, education, infrastructure and other costs.
Other specific uses of the levy would be for maternity services, physician access, wellness and chronic disease management and provide services to the uninsured and underinsured through a financial assistance program.
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