Orcas Island voters overwhelmingly approved the hospital district levy lift.

A total of 61.05 percent of voters said yes to the San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 Proposition No. 1: Orcas Island Health Care District 10-year temporary levy lid lift while 38.95 percent rejected it.

The number of registered voters is 4,841 and a total of 1,140 ballots were counted. An estimated 350 are left to count.

Citing rising labor costs and the growing needs of islanders, the Orcas Island Health Care District asked voters to approve a temporary 28.5¢ increase in its annual property tax levy on the April 22 ballot. If approved, the rate would increase the levy for 10 years from 41.5¢ to 70¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value.

“It is essential and necessary to increase the levy rate to continue to provide for island-appropriate, quality primary and acute/urgent medical care (including after-hours care) and related specialties, to all members of our community in a financially sustainable and cost-effective manner,” according to the resolution.

For more information, visit https://www.orcashealth.org/.

“I am very appreciative of the trust the community has put in the Hospital District by approving our levy,” said commissioner Dave Zoeller. “Much of the credit goes to our staff at the clinic, who have worked with us to continue to make improvements to better serve the island. I know all our commissioners are dedicated to using our resources wisely for excellent, stable healthcare right here at home.”