Several people have told me that the explanation of the proposed Public Hospital District No. 1 (PHD) levy increase on their ballot confused them. The voter’s pamphlet language is written by the District’s attorneys, so I would like to take a moment and clarify, if I can.

The request is for a 20-cent increase in the existing levy. The existing levy is $0.51 per $1000 of assessed valuation. The increase, if approved, would raise that to $0.71. The ballots state only that a positive vote would authorize a “levy of $0.71 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.” To be clear, the PHD is requesting a 20-cent increase, NOT a 71-cent increase.

The PHD is asking for the increase in order to maintain local health care services and, in some cases, provide enhanced services in the face of the devastating cuts to health care programs and dollars imposed by the federal government.

Rick Fraser, Hospital District 1 Commissioner

San Juan Island