The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The Haxtun Health Board of Directors heard a lengthy list of reports from the administration team in a late September meeting. The local board of directors also adopted a resolution with the District’s stance on Proposition HH, set to be on the ballot this November.

Senate Bill 23-303, also known as Proposition HH, will be on the ballot for Colorado voters this fall. Chief Executive Officer Dewane Pace said that while on the surface the bill looks to reduce property taxes, what the bill does is provide a workaround for State legislators to bypass TABOR restrictions that protect taxpayers from runaway government tax and spending bills.

Pace provided the following information to board members and following that information, board members passed a resolution to oppose the ballot question while encouraging voters to vote no on Proposition HH. Pace provided the following bullet points on Proposition HH to the Board of Directors:

• Proposition HH is effectively a tax increase, growing the State budget by up to $2.2 billion in 2032. It removes important taxpayer protections by reducing TABOR refunds by the same amount and giving the State Legislature the power to extend a new revenue cap in perpetuity without asking voters;

• Proposition HH does little to blunt the impact of a historic increase in property values. Taxpayers get some property tax relief, but in the long term the measure reduces, and could eliminate, TABOR funds, including for those who do not own property and do not benefit from property tax relief. Property tax relief is needed, but not at the cost of TABOR refunds;

• Property taxes are a local issue, best handled by local governments. Proposition HH pushes State priorities and an unnecessary new revenue limit onto local governments, instead of letting them find solutions that work for their community;

• Proposition HH adds unnecessary complexity to an increasingly confusing property tax system, with new classes of property and an additional administrative burden for homeowners, seniors, county assessors and potential homebuyers. As a result, the measure makes it harder for people to access their tax benefits and navigate the housing market, opening the door to unintended consequences.

Also in his report to the Board, Pace gave an update on recent promotions and moves within his organization as well as an overview of a recent State survey from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Pace said Sara Huss, who has been with Haxtun Health for five years was recently named Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Allissa Albrandt has been promoted to Accountant Intermediate. She has been with Haxtun Health in Human Resources for the past year. Lynda Buccelli has been promoted from Registration Specialist to Patients Services Specialist. She has four years of service to Haxtun Health and has served in several roles. Noah Toops has recently expended his role as the Facilities Director and now has responsibility for maintenance, housekeeping and dietary departments.

The CDPHE, Pace said, visited Haxtun Health to perform a Life Safety survey, which follows a clinical survey conducted the month before.

“This is a normal survey that typically follows the clinical survey, but is focused on our building: fire suppression systems, generator, electrical, HVAC, etc. essentially ensuring that our building and environment meet code and are safe.”

Pace said that one of the findings that will need to change going forward is when a maintenance checklist is completed, instead of marking the sheet with a check mark, a person’s initials need to be marked. He commended the maintenance and housekeeping departments for keeping the local hospital clean, safe and functioning.

In other business:

• Morgen Budde, Physican Assistant, started at the clinic on Sept. 11, she is shadowing Dr. Seinfeld this month;

• Dr. Emily Lacount started at Haxtun Health covering weekend call in September;

• Aleta Yushkevich, a fourth-year pharmacy student, started her rotation on Oct. 2. She will be with Haxtun Health for six weeks.