McKay levy fails, facility looks to alternatives

Fund-raisers and ProShare dollars will be used to pay off some of debt

SOAP LAKE — Voters in Hospital District No. 4 have voted against a proposed two-year levy to help pay off debt that McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Soap Lake owes the county.

According to the county elections department, 906 votes were cast in favor of the levy, accounting for 47.46 of the vote and 1,003 votes, or 52.54 percent, were cast in opposition.

If passed, funds from the levy would have allotted a minimum of $150,00 each year for two years which, in combination with state funded ProShare monies, would pay for most of the more than $500,000 debt that McKay owes.

The proposed levy would have increased property taxes within the hospital district, which includes Soap Lake, Wilson Creek, Marlin and Coulee City, by 73 cents on every $1,000 of assessed value.

"It's sad that people didn't understand the importance of this levy and now a new plan will have to be made," said McKay interim administrator Mary Prentice.

Fund-raisers and ProShare dollars that are allocated by the state will still be used to pay for some of the debt.

The 42 bed nursing home became short of funds when it did not receive expected ProShare dollars last year, but state officials have assured McKay that it will be receiving at least $100,000, said George Sharp with the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Those funds are expected to be distributed in December and June.

Prentice went on to say that tax notices prior to the election and confusion about McKay being part of Hospital District No. 4 were probably two factors that played a roll in the outcome of the election.

"The people in the community are going to lose quite a bit and it would put a damper on (McKay) being able to pull them selves out of their financial problem," said Soap Lake Mayor Wayne Hovde.

"I was hoping the absentee ballots would change (the outcome), but I believe ProShare funds will keep McKay going and I hope they will consider another levy," said April Leask, whose mother is a resident at McKay.