Local 1199, the union that represents about 175 workers at Taos (N.M.) Health Systems, has endorsed a proposal by Holy Cross Hospital in Taos for Taos County to increase property taxes to help pay for hospital facilities and services,, according to a report from The Taos News.
Here are four things to know about the proposed tax.
1. The hospital is asking for a tax that would cost property owners approximately $33 per year while the tax is in effect for every $100,000 of net taxable property value, according to the report.
2. If 90 percent of property taxes are collected, the tax is expected to yield roughly $1.3 million annually, according to the report.
2. Money from the tax will be used for capital needs, such as upgrading equipment and infrastructure, rather than salaries, hospital administrators said, according to The Taos News, although the tax would also allow the cash-strapped Taos Health Systems to improve pay for staff with other funds.
3. There are critics of the tax. According to the report, some see the tax as a bailout for the hospital and its contracted for-profit management firm.
4. The tax will be voted on March 8 and, if passed, would take effect in tax year 2016 and expire after four years, according to The Taos News.
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