Some are confused regarding how the $46 million bond proposal that is on the ballot to finance the construction of a new hospital will affect individual taxpayers. Based on the 2023 property values (the most current information we had at the time) it was estimated that it would cost taxpayers $1.66 per $1,000 valuation or $166 annually per $100,000 valuation. The attached chart provides some additional estimates based on tax assessed values.

Property value:    Cost per year:        Per month:

$100,000                           $166                            $13.83

$250,000                           $415                            $34.58

$350,000                           $581                            $48.42

$500,000                           $830                            $69.17

$750,000                           $1,245                         $103.75

$1,000,000                        $1,660                         $138.33

All money collected stays here — to directly benefit our community. Also of note, the proposed bond will act similar to a fixed rate home mortgage loan. If approved and the interest rate locked in, the payment amount will not change. What this means is even if your tax assessed value increases, your portion of the hospital bond and your rate per $1,000 decreases. For example, we understand that now with the newly released 2024 property values, our $1.66 estimate now needs to be lowered to $1.42 per $1,000 valuation. Hopefully this will correct some misconceptions. And, don’t forget, that a portion of your taxes can be deducted off any remaining balance on your hospital bill after insurance.

MATTHEW KEMPTON

Willapa Harbor Hospital CEO