BONNERS FERRY — Voters overwhelmingly approved a two-year, $3 million special hospital tax levy Tuesday that had been sought by Boundary Community Hospital.

The measure received 3,521 "yes" votes, or 62.15%, and 2,144 "no" votes, or 37.85%.

The temporary levy will collect $1.5 million per year and end after 2028, hospital officials said previously. The levy needed a simple majority of 50% plus one vote to pass.

“Our responsibility is to make sure Boundary County residents understand both the financial realities facing their hospital and exactly what this proposal would fund," Boundary Community Hospital CEO Bryce Cordle said previously. "This is a community decision."

Funds received from the levy will be divided into two primary areas: $750,000 annually for Emergency Department technology, equipment and personnel; and $750,000 annually for hospital infrastructure, essential utilities, personnel and physical improvements.

The estimated annual cost is approximately $58 for every $100,000 of taxable assessed property value.

BCH officials said previously that the levy is part of an effort to ease financial strain on the hospital while continuing to provide essential medical services in the community. The hospital is also working to improve operational efficiency as well as appropriate reimbursement, grants and other available funding sources.

As BCH experiences many of the same financial pressures affecting rural hospitals across the country, hospital officials said it became apparent that a levy was needed to help offset those "significant financial and operational" challenges.

BCH officials said the levy would help the hospital continue to provide the same level of services it currently offers.

The hospital’s 2026 operating budget is about $25.9 million, with an average daily operating cost of nearly $72,000, BCH officials said. Boundary County currently provides about $370,000 annually to BCH, enough to cover roughly five days of hospital operations.

About 80% of the hospital's patients are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE, which may not fully cover costs, hospital officials said previously. At the same time, the cost of everything from prescription drugs to medical supplies and personnel continues to rise.

As a result, BCH officials said the hospital reported an operating loss of about $1 million in 2025.