One Incumbent, One Newcomer On Board

Voters returned chairman Duane A. Daugharty to Kootenai Hospital District’s board of trustees Tuesday, but ousted his longtime colleague, Bill Giesa.

Replacing Giesa, who served on the governing board of Kootenai Medical Center since 1978, is Lee Shellman, a physical therapist.

Shellman said changes in Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance will present challenges to the board during his tenure.

Both will serve six-year terms.

Only 860 county residents cast votes in the election to fill two of the board’s seven seats. Vote totals were: Daugharty 501; Shellman 441; Giesa 393; and financial planner Sidney Smith 391.

The hospital soon will no longer use property taxes to fund its $52 million annual budget. Last year, the hospital agreed to stop levying property taxes altogether, saving the average homeowner about $7 this year. , DataTimes