SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Whidbey hospital district asking for levy increase

Island County Public Hospital District No. 1, better known as WhidbeyHealth, is proposing an increase in their levy rate from $0.078 to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposition will appear on the ballot in this November’s election. The district, which has struggled financially particularly since the beginning of the pandemic, seeks to add $6 million to its budget, which reached $115 million this year. The additional money will be spent on staff salaries and information and communications equipment. Jessie Stensland reports in the South Whidbey Record.

They Said It

WhidbeyHealth CEO Ron Telles: “Nothing like this is planned for. It really was a direct hit to our bottom line.… We are one of the few [rural health care systems] that are independent and we want to stay that way,”

Commissioner Kurt Blankenship pointed out that the current rate is the third or fourth lowest rate among hospital districts in the state.

Commissioner Ron Wallin said he’s thankful for all the staff that worked long, challenging hours and the many volunteers who stepped up to help. Still, the response was costly.

On the ballot on November 2 – WhidbeyHealth Board of Commissioners: