A HEALTH ORGANIZATION SERVING SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA IS SEEKING TO EXEMPT ALL ITS PROPERTIES IN NORTON FROM PAYING REAL ESTATE TAXES. NORTON CITY COUNCIL HAS AUTHORIZED A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE MATTER. IF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS GRANT THE REQUEST, WELLMONT, WHICH OWNS MOUNTAIN VIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, WILL JOIN NORTON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OWNER MOUNTAIN STATES HEALTH ALLIANCE IN HAVING THE TAX EXEMPT STATUS. VIRGINIA LAW ALLOWS LOCALITIES TO APPROVE THE TAX EXEMPT STATUS, BUT LEAVES THE MATTER LARGELY UP TO LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES TO INTERPRET THE REGULATIONS. ACCORDING TO WELLMONT FIGURES, THE HEALTH SYSTEM OWNS PROPERTY VALUED AT NEARLY 13.7 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE CITY, RESULTING IN 2007 PROPERTY TAXES OF MORE THAN 109-THOUSAND DOLLARS GOING INTO CITY COFFERS.