POMEROY–The second time was a charm for the Garfield County Hospital District.

Voters in Garfield County gave the Special Election a 72.68% "thumbs up" in the April 28 count.

"It is wonderful to live in a community that is willing to come together to reach a common goal," Hospital Commissioners and administration stated.

There were 1,015 ballots counted as of Election Night last Tuesday, a 64% voter turnout, according to County Auditor Donna Deal.

Of those, 737 voters marked "approved" and 277 rejected the measure, or 27.32%.

In November, 2019, the $860,000 ballot measure missed approval, receiving a 58.29%, just short of the required 60%. Hospital Commissioners opted to put the proposition on the ballot in April.

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioners discussed postponing the vote-by-mail proposition, but opted to move forward with the election in a meeting held in the hospital parking lot.

Funding approved by the voters will be available to the District in January, 2021.