Aspen Valley Hospital makes healthier lives and wallets for locals
As a gesture of goodwill to the community and its constituents, Aspen Valley Hospital decided in its latest meeting to give Pitkin County taxpayers a credit in their 2009 property taxes. Due to the extreme increase in property values that occurred in the 2006-2008 period, the hospital district was slated to collect an additional property tax revenue ($1.2 million more than taxes collected in 2008). The hospital will adjust its levy to receive $3.5 million in property tax revenue, the same amount it received in 2008.
Every two years, counties in Colorado review the local real estate market and assess property values accordingly. In Pitkin County, property values saw a 34 percent increase on average from 2006 to 2008. Colorado statutes allow districts to use a temporary tax credit to lower their mill levies for one year, then have them return to the prior level the following year. Other taxing districts are expected to take a close look at their mill levies this fall to see if their increased revenue is necessary.
Several board members noted Aspen Valley Hospital has stayed fiscally healthy this year, even allowing for raises for its employees. Unfortunately, Pitkin County residents haven’t done so well-many in the community have lost their jobs or have seen their wages reduced.“It doesn’t seem fair to tax them more while we are doing well,” board member Dr. Barry Mink said. “It’s the prudent thing to do,” agreed board member Chuck Frias.
