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Hospital mill levy fails; board seeks loan options but county raises liability concerns
Summary
The Granite County Hospital District mill levy failed 500–533 in a 40% turnout; hospital interim CEO requested an Intercap loan of about $975,000 to cover near-term needs, but commissioners flagged county liability and reserve requirements and asked for a detailed sustainability plan before action.
Granite County canvassed the Granite County Hospital District’s mill levy results on May 12 and approved the official canvass showing the levy failed 500–533 on 1,033 ballots cast (40% turnout of 2,593 registered voters).
Following the canvass, Interim CEO Doris Gilbert outlined the hospital’s financial distress and requested county support for an Intercap loan of approximately $975,000 to cover urgent maintenance and operating needs, citing roughly $150,000 in additional estimated costs to replace imaging equipment and cover unexpected repairs.
Commissioners and Treasurer Ashley Todd raised procedural and financial concerns: the county is already carrying nearly $1 million in hospital-related deficits and Intercap typically requires the county to maintain a reserve of about $350,000 to co-sign or guarantee loans. Commissioners expressed reluctance to increase county liability without a detailed long-term sustainability plan and discussed arranging a joint meeting with the hospital board and Billings Clinic to explore management or partnership alternatives.
No formal action was taken on the loan request during the meeting. Commissioners noted some improvements in accounts receivable recovery but requested more concrete repayment and sustainability details before considering county-backed financing.
