Big Sky Leaders Clarify Hospital District Vote: 'No New Taxes'

Voters to decide on forming new hospital district in May ballots, with no additional taxes initially

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Big Sky leaders have clarified that a vote in May to form a new hospital district will not result in any new taxes for residents, at least initially. The vote will determine if Big Sky will create its own hospital district, allowing local tax dollars to stay in the community rather than going to the existing Madison Valley Hospital District. While Gallatin County voters in Big Sky will vote on forming the new district, Madison County voters will decide whether to leave the existing district. Leaders emphasized that any future taxes would require voter approval by the elected hospital district boards.

Why it matters

As Big Sky's population has grown rapidly over the past decade, there has been a push to establish a local hospital district that can better address the community's evolving healthcare needs. This vote represents a critical step in that process, giving residents more control over healthcare funding and services. The clarification about no new taxes upfront is important to address any potential voter concerns.

The details

The May vote will allow Big Sky residents in both Madison and Gallatin counties to decide whether to form a new Big Sky Wellness District. If approved, taxes from Madison County residents within Big Sky would gradually shift from supporting the existing Madison Valley Hospital District to the new local district. Leaders emphasized that any future taxes for the new district would require voter approval by the elected hospital district boards.

  • The vote on forming the new hospital district will be on the May 2026 ballots.
  • BSRAD clarified the 'no new taxes' policy at a Feb. 11, 2026 meeting.

The players

Jackie Haines

BSRAD's director of economic and strategic development.

John Zirkle

BSRAD board member.

Kiernan Volden

Director of programs for community health organization Wellness in Action.

Kelly Halmes

Administrator of Bozeman Health's Big Sky Medical Center and Gallatin County resident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Gallatin [County] side, when they vote to form a hospital district, it will not [implement] any additional taxes at the outset.”

— Jackie Haines, BSRAD's director of economic and strategic development (explorebigsky.com)

“So this election: no new taxes.”

— Jackie Haines and John Zirkle, BSRAD's director of economic and strategic development and BSRAD board member (explorebigsky.com)

“This is about keeping Big Sky livable for everyone; families, workers, seniors and visitors.”

— Kiernan Volden, Director of programs for community health organization Wellness in Action (explorebigsky.com)

“A livable Big Sky depends on growing access to essential healthcare at home within our own community. Investing in a local hospital/wellness district ensures care that reflects our community's priorities, serves people at every stage of life, and is guided by the people who live and work here.”

— Kelly Halmes, Administrator of Bozeman Health's Big Sky Medical Center and Gallatin County resident (explorebigsky.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This vote represents an important step for Big Sky to take more control over its healthcare funding and services, with the key assurance that it will not result in any new taxes for residents at least initially. The community's rapid growth underscores the need for a locally-driven hospital district that can better address evolving healthcare needs.