Hospital district, sales tax pass

Unofficial results are in, and Hot Springs County voters passed both of the two propositions concerning Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital in Tuesday’s general election.

On the proposition to form a special hospital district there were 1,688 votes in favor and 890 votes against.

On the proposition for the creation of a one percent specific purpose sales and use excise tax there were 1,643 votes for and 947 votes against. The tax will be used to collect $16.4 million for the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of the hospital.

The propositions have been heatedly debated for several months with a wealth of information coming from both the Vote Yes for our Hospital and the Citizens for Common Sense Healthcare Political Action Committees.

Seventeen candidates were on the ballot for five seats on the Hot Springs County Hospital District Board of Directors.

For the two seats for four-year terms on the hospital district, voters selected Bill Williams with 1,096 votes and David Koerwitz with 907 votes to serve on the board. Votes received by the other candidates include Joseph Casciato 449, Josh Conrad 612, Bradyn Harvey 361, Dean Stone 149, Allan Braaten 204 and Jim Wilson 577.

For the three seats for two-year terms on the hospital district, voters selected Breez Longwell Daniels with 1,114 votes, Dan Herdt with 971 votes and Heath Overfield with 906 votes to serve on the board. Votes received by the other candidates include Paul Galovich 624, Harvey Seidel 411, Benge Brown 440, Joshua P. Brown 226, Tom Olsen 780 and Jean E. Skelton 658.