Pullman Regional Hospital bond will get second run
Hospital board approves rerun of measure; hopes community will be more informed about project
The Pullman Regional Hospital Board of Commissioners on Wednesday gave its approval to put the $29 million hospital bond measure back on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election.
The 25-year bond would support the hospital’s $40 million Next Era of Excellence project, which includes construction of a 45,000-square-foot pavilion next to the existing hospital, implementation of an electronic medical records system, construction of an outpatient medical facility and other capital improvements.
The bond would be financed through a property tax assessment of 99 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in Pullman. PRH is a public district hospital and its boundaries are Pullman city limits.
PRH plans to retire its current bond, passed in 2001 to build the current hospital, in 2020.
In April, the bond received support from 63 percent of voters, but there were not enough total votes cast to validate the election.
At Wednesday’s meeting, a letter from a resident was shared with the board that highlighted questions and concerns they have about the bond.
Commissioner Karen Karpman said there appears to have been a lack of information or some misinformation about the bond when it was on the April ballot. She said several people told her they essentially voted against the bond by not voting for it.
The hospital held several presentations about the ballot measure at the hospital and around the community leading up to the bond election this spring.
Board member Joe Pitzer expressed frustration about the community not coming to the board directly with questions and concerns. He noted the lack of attendees at Wednesday evening’s board meeting.
“They don’t involve themselves,” he said.
Hospital CFO Steve Febus said the hospital needs to continue to strengthen its message about the Next Era of Excellence project and suggested the hospital present to more community groups in Pullman to spread the word.
Anthony Kuipers can be reached at (208) 883-4640, or by email to akuipers@dnews.com.
