Health Care District looking to fill Board vacancy

||| FROM CHRIS CHORD for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT |||

Following the voluntary resignation of District Commissioner Pegi Groundwater effective 11/30/2024, Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) has formally nominated Alison Sanders for the appointment to fill that vacancy at a special board meeting held on 12/18/2024.

The OIHCD Board of Commissioners has submitted public notice of the vacancy and nomination, and now seeks the nomination of additional registered voters of the tax district for board of commissioner seat #2. These nominations will be accepted until January 4th at 5:00 PM. Nominations will be reviewed and asked to meet with board members or the superintendent prior to conducting public interview questions at the OIHCD Regular Board Meeting on January 22nd, 2024 or sooner with notice of a special board meeting.

Pursuant to RCW 42.12.080, After a vacancy occurs, the remaining members of the governing body must nominate at least one candidate at a meeting of the governing body. The governing body must then cause notice of the vacancy and the name of the nominated candidate or candidates to be posted in three public places in the district, including on the district’s website for a minimum of 15 days. During the notice period, registered voters who reside in the special purpose district may submit nominations.

As per RCW 42.12.080 (7): “… each person who is appointed shall serve until a qualified person is elected at the next election at which a member of the governing body normally would be elected. The person elected shall take office immediately and serve the remainder of the unexpired term.”

The selected candidate for Seat #2 will serve as an appointed commissioner on the Board, with a public election taking place on the seat in the 2025 Election. At that time the publicly elected commissioner will complete the remainder of the term ending December 31, 2027.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to send a resume, letter of interest and contact information to Superintendent Chord – chrisc@orcashealth.org. Please include:

• Contact information, including mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address;
• Statement of Interest, including any skills and experience you hope to add to the Board; 
• Elected Experience;
• Community/Public Service Experience;
• Education.

Who may apply

Applicants must reside and be registered to vote within San Juan County Public Hospital District #3.

More information

Additional information about the role of a Hospital District Commissioner can be found at the Association of Washington Public Hospital District’s Commissioner Resources page and in OIHCD’s Bylaws.