(Wheeler, OR) – The Nehalem Bay Health District is implementing a comprehensive plan aimed at improving health and senior care and supporting health care and other essential workers.
Plan implementation includes a proposed bond measure to be placed on the May 16, 2023 ballot that would partly finance:
- Construction of a new, modern health center and pharmacy large enough to offer specialty and dental care
- Major renovations and modernizations to the Nehalem Valley Care Center, one of the few skilled nursing facilities on the Oregon coast
- Site preparation as a critical step in developing workforce housing, primarily geared for health care workers and other essential workers in our community
The overall cost of these projects is estimated to be $15.5 million.
If passed, the bond measure would raise $10.25 million.
Thanks to Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden the health district has already secured $3 million toward the construction cost of the new health center and pharmacy. An additional $500,000 federal grant has been awarded to the Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy that can be applied to the construction cost. The District is actively seeking state government support, as well as foundation and private contributions to complete the full funding package.
If the measure passes, bonds would mature in 26 years or less from the date of issuance and may be issued in one or more series. The annual average tax rate is estimated to be $0.37 per $1,000 of taxable assessed property value. For illustration, a property with an assessed value of $300,000, and an annual average tax rate of $0.37 per $1000 of assessed value, may experience an increased tax of $170.00 annually, or approximately $0.46 per day. Actual rates may vary based upon interest rates incurred and changes in taxable assessed value. The projected tax cost for the measure is an estimate only, based on the best information available from the county assessor at the time of the estimate.
Depending upon the success of foundation and other funding opportunities, the District may not need to levy the full amount requested in the bond measure.
More detail on the plan:
- The proposed project would help preserve 75 to 80 current local health care related jobs at the Care Center and current clinic
- If the bond measure passes, the new health center and pharmacy facility would be located on a 1.3 acre site in Wheeler, adjacent to Highway 101 and Hospital Road. The site is owned by the Nehalem Bay Health District, and the property is zoned to permit construction of the new facility and will provide the parking required by the city. The site is outside the tsunami inundation zone
- If the bond measure passes, revenue from the proposed bond measure would support extensive renovation and modernization of the 40-year old building housing the Care Center, a licensed 50-bed skilled nursing facility, one of the few facilities of its kind on the Oregon coast. Planned renovations include updates of patient rooms, common areas, fire/safety and mechanical systems, as well as kitchen modernization. The district is also exploring reconfiguration of a portion of the facility to offer memory care services not now available in the community.
- If passed, The District’s plan is to utilize a portion of the bond revenue to undertake site preparation work related to the old Wheeler hospital, a necessary step toward redeveloping District property for worker housing, particularly housing for health care workers. The District intends, once site preparation is complete, to partner with a private or non-profit housing developer to undertake the housing component of the overall plan.
Without the financial support provided by the proposed bond measure, the District does not possess the financial resources to pursue construction of a new health center and pharmacy or a comprehensive renovation and modernization of the Care Center. If the bond measure does not pass, the proposed projects would not be completed, and property taxes would not be increased.
More information about the plan and funding is available at the health district website.
