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Hospital tax approved
Thelma Grimes
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
The secondary tax funding the Benson Hospital will continue, after 58 percent of voters in the San Pedro Valley Hospital District approved the renewal in last week's election.
Voters passed keeping their property taxes the same, giving 90 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on a property to the hospital district. The tax increase was first passed in 1999, and renewed again in 2004. The tax must be renewed every five years.
There were 1,398 voters who opted to keep their tax rate the same and keep funding the hospital, while 989 voted against it.
Ron McKinnon, CEO of the hospital, said due to the unusual circumstances of this year's election, he wasn't sure what to expect in an all-mail election. Voters were sent ballots by mail, and had until June 23 to get them to the Cochise County Recorder's office, or Benson Hospital.
McKinnon said in the past, the measure has passed overwhelmingly, sometimes even three to one.
But this year the all-mail election was required because of a new law passed by the Arizona Legislature last year.
It's been a tough road even getting to the election this year, as Benson Hospital, along with legislators from District 25, had to push Arizona lawmakers to pass an emergency bill to allow the election to go forward.
Benson and one other hospital in the state were caught by a new law passed last year that requires all override and bond elections be held in November.
To keep Benson Hospital operational, as much of the secondary tax pays for operational expenses, a special election had to be held.
The ballots were even sent out before the legislature had approved the emergency bills allowing hospital districts with a population of 20,000 or less, such as Benson's, to hold the special election.
Voters had been receiving ballots and turning them in before state lawmakers finally approved the bill.
McKinnon stuck by his message that the extra funding for the hospital is good for the entire area. Without it, the alternative was for Benson Hospital to close, leaving the nearest medical facilities in Tucson or Sierra Vista.
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
The secondary tax funding the Benson Hospital will continue, after 58 percent of voters in the San Pedro Valley Hospital District approved the renewal in last week's election.
Voters passed keeping their property taxes the same, giving 90 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on a property to the hospital district. The tax increase was first passed in 1999, and renewed again in 2004. The tax must be renewed every five years.
There were 1,398 voters who opted to keep their tax rate the same and keep funding the hospital, while 989 voted against it.
Ron McKinnon, CEO of the hospital, said due to the unusual circumstances of this year's election, he wasn't sure what to expect in an all-mail election. Voters were sent ballots by mail, and had until June 23 to get them to the Cochise County Recorder's office, or Benson Hospital.
McKinnon said in the past, the measure has passed overwhelmingly, sometimes even three to one.
But this year the all-mail election was required because of a new law passed by the Arizona Legislature last year.
It's been a tough road even getting to the election this year, as Benson Hospital, along with legislators from District 25, had to push Arizona lawmakers to pass an emergency bill to allow the election to go forward.
Benson and one other hospital in the state were caught by a new law passed last year that requires all override and bond elections be held in November.
To keep Benson Hospital operational, as much of the secondary tax pays for operational expenses, a special election had to be held.
The ballots were even sent out before the legislature had approved the emergency bills allowing hospital districts with a population of 20,000 or less, such as Benson's, to hold the special election.
Voters had been receiving ballots and turning them in before state lawmakers finally approved the bill.
McKinnon stuck by his message that the extra funding for the hospital is good for the entire area. Without it, the alternative was for Benson Hospital to close, leaving the nearest medical facilities in Tucson or Sierra Vista.
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