The Wood County Central Hospital Board of Directors adopted a new tax rate Monday evening. The new rate is slightly less than last year’s $0.138 number. The new rate will be $0.120 per $100 valuation.

In addition to the tax rate, a budget was also adopted by the board. The approved budget for 2023 was set at $295,745.50 which is more than last year’s budget of $255,510.06.

In the budget, $50,000 will go to health education and assistance; $20,000 for indigent care; $22,000 on property tax; and $20,000 for property insurance.

The board had a lengthy discussion on the amount of money to donate to the Wood County Health Care Foundation for Phase II of the Center for Memory Health and Education.

In a letter received from foundation President Annette Simpkins, the organization was seeking a $100,000 donation. In the letter Simpkins wrote “To keep our project moving forward, we need to contract for further architectural/engineering plans on the property for design and development.”

Board member Orval Lindsey spoke in favor of the $100,000 donation. “Look around this room. We must be the leaders in this project. People need to know we are out front in this effort,” Lindsey said.

Board members Jan Gorman and Dr. Paul Driver voiced opposition to the amount of the donation, but not to the project. “Why are we spending money like this before we have firm commitments? I think it’s fantastic the project is creating this kind of interest and I support the efforts,” Driver said. ”We still are responsible to the taxpayers.”

 “I support the project, but I think we could go with $50,000 and then we can always donate more later,” Gorman suggested.

After much discussion the board unanimously approved to donate $50,000. The total cost of Phase II of the project has an estimated cost of $400,000. They have already collected several thousand dollars in donations including one for $13,000 from Wood County Electric Co-op and another $13,000 in other donations.