Proposed Hospital Expansion FAQs
On April 23, 2026 the Commission of Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District No. 1 adopted Resolution No. 2026-02 concerning a proposition to finance hospital expansion and renovation to improve access to local healthcare services.
Proposition 1: Hospital Expansion and Renovation Bonds
The Commission of Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District No. 1 adopted Resolution No. 2026-02 concerning a proposition to finance improvements to Newport Hospital. This proposition would authorize the District to expand and renovate Newport Community Hospital, including relocating the main entrance and admitting area and expanding imaging, laboratory, rehabilitative therapy, surgical, emergency, trauma, and behavioral health care services, together with other related capital improvements deemed necessary or advisable by the Commission; issue no more than $51,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 30 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 2026-02.
This list of frequently asked questions will provide factual information about the bond appearing on the August 4, 2026 ballot. We will continue to update the list over the coming months. If you have questions you’d like to see listed on this FAQ, please email [email protected].
Why is this bond needed right now?
Newport Community Hospital is currently operating at or near capacity, which limits the ability to expand services and address projected community healthcare needs.
As a public hospital district, the District has limited non-voted debt capacity. Existing funding sources would only support a portion of the proposed project and would not address system-wide space and infrastructure constraints. Completing only partial improvements could create additional pressure on departments that are already operating at capacity.
Several facility limitations contribute to the current need:
- The laboratory has infrastructure constraints, including electrical capacity limitations that restrict the addition of new equipment.
- Portions of the hospital, including areas that house laboratory and rehabilitative services, are located in a building constructed in 1958. Renovation of this space would require significant upgrades and could disrupt ongoing operations.
- Imaging space limitations do not accommodate installation of a fixed MRI unit, requiring continued use of a mobile unit.
- Surgical services currently operate with one operating room and one procedure room, both of which are fully utilized.
The proposed bond would provide funding to address these facility and capacity constraints through a coordinated expansion and renovation of the hospital.
What will the bond cover?
As outlined in Resolution No. 2026-02, the bond would authorize the expansion and renovation of Newport Community Hospital to address facility capacity, infrastructure, and access needs.
Specifically, the project would:
- Replace the existing 1958-era building with a new three-story addition and relocate the main entrance to improve patient access and internal flow between services.
- Expand surgical services by adding additional operating rooms to increase capacity within the existing surgical program.
- Renovate and expand the Emergency Department, including updated treatment space and the addition of designated behavioral health rooms.
- Increase space for imaging, laboratory, and rehabilitative therapy services to address current space and infrastructure constraints.
- Provide additional space for outpatient services, including infusion services, within the hospital campus.
The bond would also cover related design, construction, equipment, incidentals, furniture, and other capital costs deemed necessary or advisable by the Commission.
Do you have data to support the need for an expansion?
Yes. The District completed a market assessment in 2025 that included analysis of demographic trends, service utilization, and patient origin data. The assessment identified that a portion of residents currently travel outside the district, including to Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, to access certain healthcare services. These findings are consistent with the District’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, which also identified gaps in access to specific services locally.
The data indicate opportunities to expand certain services within the community based on current utilization patterns and projected population needs. In-district availability of these services would allow more patients to receive care locally rather than traveling outside the area. The proposed expansion and renovation are intended to align facility capacity with these identified service needs.
Are you building an entirely new hospital?
No, just a large section. The plan is to remove the circa 1958 section of the old hospital and build a three-story addition. This would relocate the main entrance of the hospital to directly face Newport Health Center.
What is the impact to Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District #1 taxpayers?
- Cost to Pend Oreille County PHD #1 taxpayers: $1.47 per $1,000 assessed property value (estimate)
- Bond Terms: $51 Million, up to 30-year term (estimated 4.75% – 5.5% interest)
- A property with assessed value of $200,000 = $25 estimated monthly property tax increase
- A property with assessed value of $300,000 = $37 estimated monthly property tax increase
- A property with assessed value of $400,000 = $49 estimated monthly property tax increase
- A property with assessed value of $500,000 = $61 estimated monthly property tax increase
If the bond passes, can those property taxes be credited against NHHS medical bills?
- YES. Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District #1 taxpayers may apply for up to $500/year in credits towards NHHS medical bills based on property taxes paid for the bond during the same year.
