Haxtun Health Board of Directors met for a short meeting Monday, Dec. 6 to adopt a proposed 2022 budget. The meeting lasted just under an hour with the only order of business being the budget and adopting a meeting schedule for the coming year.

According to information presented from Chief Financial Officer Joleen Stroyek, the 2022 budget reflects a three-percent increase in growth and a three-percent increase in rates. Next year’s figures also show salary increases, salaries for vacancies, supply cost increase and filling new positions to support new initiatives launching in the coming year.

Stroyek said even with an increase in operating expenses, Haxtun Health hopes for a projected positive 2.63 percent operating margin. The CFO also noted that Haxtun Health bonds will be paid in 2024.

While board members reviewed information, Chairman Kent Bamford asked for futher information on District mill levies. The Phillips County property assessor’s valuation for the Haxtun Health district is $27,231,570. The mill levy for the hospital district has decreased for 2022 from 12.267 to 11.938.

Without further discussion, board members voted to adopt the proposed budget along with resolutions to appropriate sums of money and to set the mill levy.

Board members also voted to adopt a proposed schedule for Board of Directors meetings for next year. Haxtun Health Board of Directors typically meet the fourth Monday of every month.