OMC may seek vote on $2.5 million tax boost

PORT ANGELES — Olympic Medical Center plans to ask voters to hike their property taxes by 33 cents per $1,000 to produce an additional $2.5 million a year for the hospital and its medical network.

OMC commissioners expect to approve the plan at their regular meeting next Wednesday.

If approved by voters, the tax increase would be permanent.

The measure would appear on the Aug. 19 primary election ballot that would go to voters in the hospital district, from Lake Crescent east to the Clallam County line.

Hospital CEO Eric Lewis unveiled the plan Wednesday night at a special board of commissioners meeting at OMC.

He said it was part of an eight-part strategy that includes cutting costs, increasing patient volume and seeking grants and donations.

The aim, he said, is to insure local control of OMC by raising revenues to where it can keep pace with medical technology and can attract good doctors and staff.

That translates into an operating margin — the “profit” for a nonprofit organization — of 3 percent to 5 percent.

It hasn’t been within that range since 2004, at the outset of an ambitious building and improvement plan.

In 2007, the margin slumped to a negative 0.7 percent, in the red by $700,000.

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading