According to a press release from the Van Diest Medical Center, the hospital tax levy for Fiscal Year 2027 will remain at $1.90 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

The tax levy was approved by the Van Diest Medical Center Board of Trustees earlier this spring. An appeal was filed in May on behalf of 400 petitioners and presented at a public hearing held in early June.

The meeting of the Iowa State Appeals board was held at the Iowa State Capitol on Friday to consider the appeal of the tax levy for Hamilton County Public Hospital, doing business as Van Diest Medical Center.

The three-member board — composed of Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen, State Auditor Rob Sand and State Treasurer Roby Smith — reviewed the recommendations submitted by a hearing panel following the public hearing held June 9 at the Webster City Courthouse before reaching its decision.

In the press release received on Friday, the hospital said the appeals board voted to sustain the levy.

“The Board of trustees and administration are pleased with this decision; our commitment to our patients and the communities we serve remains unchanged,” said Lisa Ridge, Chief Executive Officer at Van Diest Medical Center.

“We will continue to be responsible stewards of our resources while ensuring access to high-quality healthcare,” she said.