Evergreen Hospital Board approves 2012 Budget; refunds taxpayers $476,799.

Evergreen Hospital Commissioners
at 2010 Redmond ER Medical Center plaza ground-breaking

UPDATED:  The Evergreen Hospital District #2, Board of Commissioners approved the 2012 budget and levies during a Special Public Meeting and Hearing on 7:00AM, November 11, 2011.  Superintendent Bob Malte submitted the budget for approval.  As a citizen-journalist, I attended and spoke at the Hearing. 

READ MORE about the tax increase and capital bond refund to taxpayers >>

Evergreen Hospital King County District #2 levies two taxes on Hospital District property owners residing in Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville, Bothell, Duval, Kenmore, Kirkland and other county residential area, as follows:

• 2012 Regular Property Tax Levy: ~ $15,431,950 (increased 1% from 2011)
• 2004 Excess Levy Bond:  $9,242,180 in 2012.  A $175,539,755 UTGO bond was approved by voters on May 18, 2004 to fund capital improvements.  Expires: 2023.

According to Lauren H. Burton, Evergreen Administrative Director and Public Records Officer, the Excess Levy Bonds fund the Hospital Emergency Department and "Silver Tower" construction capital projects.

The Regular Property Tax Levy increased: 1.7% in 2010, 2.1% in 2011 and 1% in 2012. Regular Property Tax Levy monies are budgeted in 2012 to fund: 1) community health and wellness programs and 2) debt services/costs for "new construction of wind turbine facilities, property improvements, the carry-over tax refund, and any increase in assessed property value..." (Res. 83-911)

New this year, the Board adapted a "Levy Charter" to provide a mechanism for reallocation of funds. At the Budget Meeting, the Board announced a reduction in several categories of levy-supported Healthline phone consulting service funds and additional funding for Kirkland Senior Center.

REFUND DUE TAXPAYERS:

According to Resolution No. 839-11, taxpayers are due a refund of $476,799 of Excess Levy Bond carryover payments. Since 2005, the hospital has been over-charging taxpayers "due to the timing of the bond settlement documents (and interest payments) occurring after the 2005 levy request filing date."

The Resolution states, "the Board has determined that said funds [$476,700, including annual interest payments] should be returned to the District taxpayers and directs the District Treasurer to do so in consultation with King County."

Reported By Bob Yoder
ref: Resolution No. 839-11, King County Public Hospital District No. 2
Resolution No. 840-11