Fall 2025 Levy Lid Lift

In the Special Board Meeting that took place on July 10^th, 2025, San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1’s Board of Commissioners voted to present a ballot measure for a levy lid lift. This lid lift will appear on the Fall 2025 ballot.

The decision to lid lift, or ask the public for further funding, was made due to the growing needs of our Island community. With recent federal changes leading to a potential reduction in healthcare coverage—particularly in Medicare— the District is taking proactive steps to bridge the increasing gap between our community’s healthcare needs and their access to essential services. Commissioner Trish Lehman noted in the special board meeting that, “On this island we need to be prepared to take care of each other. I’m concerned about vulnerable populations.”

If the lid lift is approved, the District plans to add Medicaid for home care, work on converting short term rentals into long term housing for healthcare workers, and expand the scope of San Juan Island EMS’s community paramedicine program.

Financial Assistance Program: In 2024, the District launched Village at Home, which provides healthcare and companionship services to Island residents who wish to age in the comfort of their home. If the levy lid lift is approved, the District intends to launch a financial assistance program to ensure that Island residents without adequate insurance or financial resources can still receive essential healthcare services in the comfort of their home.

Housing for Healthcare Workers: There is a clear need in our community for more housing, especially for essential workers. The District currently employes over 70 employees, all of whom are crucial to providing emergency care and support. If voters approve the lid lift, the District intends to purchase short-term rentals and convert them into long term housing for healthcare workers. This would help ensure our workforce can continue to live in the community they serve.

Community Paramedicine: San Juan Island EMS’s Community Paramedicine Program helps Island residents avoid using 911 and the Emergency Room (ER) for preventable health care services. While the District is already taking steps to expand this vital service, approval of a lid lift would allow for a broader reach and greater impact—bringing more care directly to those who need it most.

The choice to expand services is a decision the community can make through voting in the upcoming local election. Superintendent Nathan Butler noted that, “We always approach asking the public for funding with caution. Ultimately the public decides what matters to them.”