Union-Bulletin

Three junior taxing districts have one-year levies on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Prescott Park and Recreation District

Prescott Park and Recreation District seeks a $160,000 replacement levy to operate and maintain the Prescott Pool and adjacent field View Park.

The levy request is $20,000 less than voters approved for 2009. Cost to property owners if the levy is approved would be approximately 69 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation, or $69 for a property valued at $100,000.

Levies have been needed for operation of the pool and park since 1981, and are the primary source of funding.

Daily gate receipts and fees charged for swim passes, lessons and classes provide 3.6 percent of the operating cost.

Along with providing support for park and pool programs, the levy funds are used to maintain and improve the facilities. In 2010 levy funds would be used to repair a 1,000-gallon per day leak and replace a pump. The pool and park provided employment for 16 area teens during the 2009 season, along with eight adult part-time employees.

A community recreation program was developed in 2009 to provide non-swimming activities for adults and children.

Garfield County Memorial Hospital

Garfield County Memorial Hospital seeks a one-year $70,000 capital levy for roof and exterior finish improvements of the hospital and long term care building.

Cost of the levy is estimated at 35 cents per $1,000 assessed value to be collected in 2010. Cost to the owner of a house valued at $100,000 would be $35.

The proposed levy, if approved, would pay for stripping and repainting the exterior of the hospital building, and replacement of two sections of roof.

Last year voters approved a similar one-year tax assessment for $198,000 that is funding the repair of critical systems in the hospital including replacement of an emergency generator, telephone system, nurse call system and fire alarm.

Columbia County Public Hospital District

Columbia County Public Hospital District is asking voters to approve a one-year $795,000 levy to finance health information technology. Cost of the measure would be $1.29 per $1,000 assessed valuation to be collected in 2010. If approved, the levy would cost an owner of a property valued at $100,000 $129.

If approved, the levy would provide for a complete record of patients' health history and visits. The levy would purchase integrated software for all Columbia County Health Systems departments, computers and servers to run the programs and a wireless networking system.

Advantages of the technology include eligibility for federal stimulus money which will become available specifically for projects such as these. The technology will also enhance processing of Medicare reimbursements, according to hospital officials. Providers without the technology in place by 2015 will face Medicare reimbursement penalties.

Benefits of health information technology for patients include immediate access to vital patient information, greater accuracy, enhanced confidentiality and patient-friendly billing, hospital officials said.