The county board of commissioners may levy a tax for the financing of the operation, equipment, and maintenance of any hospital operated by the district, including any public or nonprofit hospital, if the tax is approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the hospital district who shall vote on the question of levying the tax. The county board of commissioners shall determine the rate or amount of taxes that will be levied if approved by the voters of the district. The election on the question of levying the tax may be held at any time fixed by the county board of commissioners and shall be conducted in the same manner as bond elections held under G.S. 159-61. (1949, c. 766, s. 5; 1953, c. 1045, s. 6; 1983, c. 775, s. 1.)