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The Vision
Will this impact the amount I pay in taxes?
Where can I vote?
When is early voting and election day?
If you don’t own property, there will be no direct tax impact.
Walker County Hospital District taxes currently account for only 6.2% of all property taxes in Walker County. There will be an increase in WCHD property taxes that are currently paid. However, HMH will be funding a significant portion of the annual debt service needed for the new hospital, which will alleviate the levied tax increase considerably.
Through rent for the new hospital, HMH has committed to pay a minimum of 40% of the debt service. This will be possible due to increased services and capacity. At this offset level, there would be an $8.61/month tax increase (based on $100,000 home value).
There is a very real possibility that HMH can pay up to 75% of the debt service—taking into account rent for the existing building*, projected population growth, and projected taxbase growth. At this offset level, there would only be a $3.30/month tax increase (based on $100,000 home value.)
*HMH is committed to repurpose the existing building for continued use to generate additional income to pay toward the bond debt service, further reducing any property tax increase. This may include use for correctional care at the existing or an expanded level; or, it may be for totally different use(s), such as hospice care, behavioral care, in-patient rehab, etc.
This is Walker County’s chance to say YES to a new hospital at up to 75% off!
How was the New Hospital 2025 Bond Developed?
Leaders in the community provided input to the WCHD, encouraging them to prepare the new hospital bond package. The bond package derives from the work of a Master Plan developed by architecture consultants on behalf of the WCHD in close coordination with leadership from Huntsville Memorial Hospital (HMH). It is the result of quality input and carefully weighed options. The hospital master plan and renderings were presented to the WCHD Board of Managers, who unanimously called for a bond election at their meeting on 2/10/2025.
Why do we need a new hospital?
Why not refurbish the existing building?
On February 10, 2025, the Walker County Hospital District unanimously approved a $246 million bond proposal to build a new, state-of-the-art hospital that will expand healthcare services and improve the
quality of care for our community.
Now, it’s your turn to make it happen. Vote YES on May 3, 2025,
to invest in better healthcare, modern facilities, and a healthier
future for Walker County.
Explore this website to learn more about the new hospital, tax impact, and how you can help!
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Keep pace with the growth of our community
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To separate correctional care
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Provide private patient rooms
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Current facilities plant cannot support an expansion
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Cost-prohibitive to meet current codes/standards
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Age of the current facility makes it difficult to recruit new physicians to the area
How will the new hospital be better for the community?
Huntsville Memorial Hospital is an accredited acute care hospital with a level 4 trauma center and primary stroke program. The hospital has made significant quality of care improvements over the last several years.
Quality and patient satisfaction scores continue to increase and are already surpassing the scores of other hospitals south of us. Under the current administration, the hospital’s CMS Score has gone from 1 star to 3 stars, and its national LeapFrog score has risen to a B from D. The hospital’s Google star rating is a 4.0 and continues to increase as well, reflecting the care and service provided to our community every day.
A new hospital will help to recruit other specialty physicians currently not available in Huntsville, as well as additional primary care physicians, and will launch us in the direction of creating a Regional Medical Center for Walker County.
What will happen to the existing building?
The current hospital building would remain adjacent to the new hospital and be used to provide correctional care in a separate and distinct area. ALL CARE for correctional patients—including emergency room, radiology, surgery, in-patient, and specialty care—will be housed separately in the current building.
Could the money be used for other medical needs besides the hospital?
It is important for our county population to have a hospital with expanded services that is trusted for great care. Short-term funding would not address this issue.
Are there additional costs besides taxes that will impact me?
No additional financial burden is expected. In fact, the tax burden will be reduced significantly due to HMH paying rent to the Walker County Hospital District. The increase in new jobs, increased commerce, improved access to high-quality healthcare (without the need to be burdened with travel costs, parking fees, hotel stays, and traffic congestion) will outweigh any adverse impacts.
Is there something wrong with the current hospital?
No, the current facility is very busy and at a point where increased capacity in several areas of care is necessary.
What new jobs for the community would a new hospital bring?
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Construction jobs during buildout.
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New healthcare and support positions due to increased overall capacity between current facility and new hospital.
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Staff positions in clinics of newly recruited physicians.
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Strengthened growth of area business development due to new hospital.
Early voting runs Tuesday, April 22- Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Polls are closed on Saturday & Sunday. Election Day is Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Voters must be registered by Thursday, April 3, to vote in the WCHD 2025 Bond election.
All early voting will take place at the Walker County Storm Shelter (455 SH 75 North in Huntsville). Walker County has implemented countywide Election Day polling locations, meaning you may cast your ballot at any polling location within the county, regardless of precinct.
What is in the 2025 Bond, and how much is it for?
If approved by the voters, the proposed 2025 bond will provide funds to build a new hospital in front of the current hospital. The Walker County Hospital District (WCHD) owns the land between the current hospital parking lot and I-45, which will allow enough space for the new hospital to be constructed.
The current HMH building will remain in place and continue to be operated by HMH (through an agreement with TDCJ/UTMB) to provide correctional care as needed in a facility to be kept completely separate from the new hospital. The bond does not fund correctional care.
The new hospital facility will feature private medical, surgical, and intensive care rooms; new labor and delivery rooms; and emergency rooms.
The WCHD Board of Managers called for a $246,000,000 bond
referendum to fund this new hospital
What is the tax impact for voters 65 and older?
Homeowners will retain their current WCHD tax exemption status.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the tax rate of the Walker County Hospital District compare to other hospital districts?
In 2022, Walker County Hospital District tax rate was $.1027.
The average tax rate of hospital districts in Texas was $.2263.
In 2022, WCHD taxable value was $6.16 billion. The average tax rate of all
hospital districts in Texas with taxable value from $5.00-9.99 billion was $.1549.
Comparison of Tax Rates for select area hospital districts in Texas:
On February 10, 2025, the Walker County Hospital District unanimously approved a $246 million bond proposal to build a new, state-of-the-art hospital that will expand healthcare services and improve the
quality of care for our community.
Now, it’s your turn to make it happen. Vote YES on May 3, 2025,
to invest in better healthcare, modern facilities, and a healthier
future for Walker County.
Explore this website to learn more about the new hospital, tax impact, and how you can help!
All data based on figures reported by hospital districts to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, with 140 hospital districts reporting tax levy in 2022. Data compiled into a report by Reed+Claymon, General Counsel to the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH).
