Levy renewal request on Aug. 4 ballot
BREWSTER, Wash. — Three Rivers Hospital is asking residents of Okanogan Douglas County Public Hospital District No. 1 to renew its one-year Emergency Room levy in the Aug. 4 primary election.
The measure would authorize collection of about $1.46 million in 2027 at a rate of 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value – the same rate voters have approved annually since 2020.
The levy is classified as an “excess levy,” meaning it must be renewed by voters each year and requires 60% approval to pass.
What the levy funds
Unlike the hospital’s permanent regular levy, which supports general operations, the excess levy is dedicated to keeping the Emergency Room open and staffed around the clock. District residents have expressed a strong preference for physician coverage in the ER, and this levy is the primary mechanism for funding that commitment.
“The community has shown up for this levy every year since 2020, and we’re grateful for that consistent support,” said Chief Executive Officer J. Scott Graham. “That trust is something we take seriously. This renewal allows us to continue the level of emergency care our patients and families have come to rely on.”
“I am proud to help Three Rivers Hospital make a difference in my neighbors’ lives every day,” said ER Director Joshua Corsa, M.D. “This levy helps our team provide high-quality, modern, life-saving care close to home, where it can be most effective.”
For a home assessed at $300,000, the estimated annual cost is approximately $99. Property owners can use a tax estimate calculator at threerivershospital.net/levy.
About the ballot measure
The Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-04 on April 26, 2026, placing the measure on the August 4, 2026 General Election ballot. The levy would be collected in 2027 only.
“I see firsthand the critical role our emergency department plays in caring for our community,” said Christine Smith, RN, Chief Nursing Officer. “This levy helps sustain staffing, equipment and resources needed to provide timely, high-quality care. Consistent community support has had a direct impact on maintaining reliable access to emergency services.”
About Three Rivers Hospital
Three Rivers Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital located at 507 Hospital Way in Brewster, WA, serving residents of south Okanogan County, north Douglas County, and the Methow Valley. The hospital district is among the largest geographically in Washington state, covering approximately 2,500 square miles.
For more information about the levy, visit threerivershospital.net/levy.
