Hospital parcel tax increase on March ballot
Residents of Sonoma Valley Health Care District will vote March 7 on raising the parcel tax from $195 a year to $250. This year’s Measure B, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass, also extends the tax for five years.
Imposed on all lots regardless of size, use or value, the current tax raises about $3 million for Sonoma Valley Hospital. The increase would push annual tax revenue to about $3.85 million.
The hospital, which runs at a perennial deficit, could use more revenue, backers admit, but asking for more than the 28 percent raise or a 10-year extension, could backfire with voters.
The proposed annual gain of $800,000 will be used primarily for 3 percent wage increases, according to District board member Peter Hohorst. It’s vital for the hospital to offer salaries competitive with other hospital in the area, he said, to maintain quality care and keep a stable employee base.
The parcel tax, instituted in 2002, was last approved in 2012 with 73 percent of the vote. If it fails on March 7, the tax would expire on June 1.
Read our editorial
4 thoughts on “Hospital parcel tax increase on March ballot”
Comments are closed.
SAVE $1,250 WHEN YOU VOTE NO, ON THE SONOMA VALLEY HEALTH CARE DISTRICT PARCEL TAX, MEASURE B. March 7, 2017.
If you are a renter, consider voting NO… will your landlord pay the additional $250 property tax or increase your rent? If you do not use Sonoma Valley Hospital, consider voting NO. Are you aware that the Emergency Room cannot, by law, turn anyone away because they cannot afford to pay for service… consider voting NO. According to Sonoma Valley Hospital, they had 10,000 patients in their emergency room last year, not enough to pay to keep it open… consider voting NO. (How many of them didn’t pay a dime?)
Somehow SVH seems to be able to give the CEO generous annual increases in salary and benefits… consider voting NO. The Sonoma Chamber of Commerce, indicates that in 2014 there were 151,857 people living within 10 miles of Sonoma… not enough to support
a hospital. People outside of 10 miles will likely visit other
hospitals… consider voting NO. It you are a pedestrian struck by car, while crossing a road in Sonoma, you will be taken to Napa’s Queen of the Valley. not SVH; consider voting NO. If you are involved in a major car crash, you will be taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, not SVH, consider voting NO. The inability to generate enough income to stay open will only get worse over the next few years… consider voting NO.
STOP THE FINANCIAL BLEEDING, VOTE NO ON MEASURE B.
I have to begin by agreeing with most of what johnjdp posted. In 2002, the voters were promised that this would be a one-time deal. Lie. Then they built a beautiful new, larger facility, still filled with “providers” I would die before allowing to touch me. Then Kenwood pulled out of the district – to avoid the 2nd 5-year “temporary” tax. I wish I have to begin by agreeing with most of what johnjdp posted. In 2002, the voters were promised that this would be a one-time 5-year tax. Lie. Then they built a beautiful new, larger facility, still filled with “providers” I would die before allowing to touch me.
Kenwood pulled out of the district – to avoid the 2nd 5-year “temporary” tax. I wish Glen Ellen would get it together to do the same – since most of us travel the same distance for care by competent medical personnel.
The propaganda about emergency room expenses is easily challenged. If the hospital is eating the costs to serve the indigent, you, the taxpayer should be furious. Because, if true, it means hospital employees are simply too lazy to fill out the paperwork for reimbursement through state, federal, county funding avenues.
Now it’s time for “Round 3” – and, as each time before, the vote is slated for a date MOST likely to be IGNORED by the fine citizens of Sonoma (excepting those intending to profit from passage). This too will pass. You will, once more, need to get your nails done – and so will overlook this “election.” Oh happy days for those fat, old cats pilfering from the Sonoma Valley Hospital coffers while crying out “me needs more of your $$$$$.”
Wake up, get up, brush your teeth, go out to vote – VOTE NO to WASTE!
You guys are missing a point here. Emergency room will not turn you away if you can’t pay – if you vote NO there will be no Emergency Room in Sonoma anymore. If there is no ER – there is no need to keep ambulances in the fire department. And if you need an emergency care you will need to wait for an ambulance dispatched from Napa, Petaluma or whatever and than don’t forget the time to ride from your home to the hospital – total of what? 40 -50 minutes minimum. In reality it will be more, much more. You really think you have that luxury? It’s only $250 a year!! less than a$1 a day! Can you skip your Latte ones in a while?
One more thought on the issue about “hospital employees are simply too lazy to fill out the paperwork”. The hospital does eat the cost of those who cannot pay for the services, and it has NOTHING to do with being lazy. Check out this link at CMS web site https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality-initiatives-patient-assessment-instruments/hospitalqualityinits/hospitalhcahps.html. You may understand what the government pays to the hospital and why.