Local agencies continue to over-tax citizens

The recent public meeting held by the East Adams Rural Hospital District No. 2 was well done. While there was clearly tension among the commissioners, they treated the public with respect. The commissioners gave those attending the meeting time to express themselves regarding the options presented by the hospital board.

The hospital board presented three options: A for $6.4 million, B for $8.5 million and C for $12.6 million. The board intends to provide $4 million from their stash so the voters would be asked to fund $2.4, $4.5, or $8.6 million depending on the option chose by the commissioners. Voters can secure detailed information regarding these options from the hospital.

The decision the hospital commissioners made at the public meeting was not my choice. I suggested the commissioners choose Option A, which would ask the voters to cover $2.4 million of the $6.4 required to bring the hospital into compliance. Voters should examine options B and C. Options B and C could be done at a later date or perhaps a revision of those options could be made and offered after an evaluation was made regarding the ability of district voters to pay the additional millions of dollars. One citizen suggested the commissioners asking the voters to pay $8.6 million is not much different from asking for $10 million, which was earlier refused by voters. The commissioners indicated they will ask voters for $8.6 million.

The City of Ritzville is increasing water rates again. When the broken promise athletic field upgrade is finished, the school district will be asking the citizens to pay for the maintenance they have been ignoring. Others government units will be asking the taxpayers for more of their incomes in 2014. ObamaCare is going to prove to be a genuine bankrupter of families. Many of the citizens of the hospital district are not enjoying a growing disposable income; in fact quite the reverse is true.

Let us agree to pay $2.4 million to keep the hospital open and review further expenditures later, but no more now. This will mean a vote NO on a new hospital bond request. The necessary upgrades and repairs will be made to keep the hospital open whether you vote yes or no to be obligated for an additional $8.6 million.

Barry Boyer, Ritzville