May 2,2016-
In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the Board of Directors of the Tulare Local Health Care District on Monday unanimously voted to place a $55 million bond to complete the hospital tower before voters on Aug. 30.The measure requires two thirds vote to approve.
The meeting, held at the conference room at Evolutions Fitness & Wellness Center to accommodate a large crowd, outlined Resolution 848, its purpose and its effect on taxpayers in the hospital district.
Initially, the bond will cost $2.28 per month per $100,000 of assessed value which equates to $3.42 per month for the average Tulare household. At its peak, it will cost taxpayers $4.33 per month per $100,000 of assessed value or $6.49 per month for the average Tulare household.
This averages out to $2.49 per month per $100,000 of assessed value or $3.74 per month for the average Tulare household.
The District further outlined accountability safeguards to ensure the public is aware of the progress of construction expenditures, including a construction monitor and a project website containing a work schedule, draw schedule and bank account activity that will be accessible to the public.
TLHCD Chairwoman Sherrie Bell acknowledged the past but said she sees a brighter future.
“We all remember what we had before HCCA came on,” she said. “I testify to you that things are different, that today we have quality and experience and growth potential.”
The Board voted 5-0 to place the bond before voters by way of a mail-in ballot.
The ballots will be mailed to voters Aug. 1 and must be postmarked no later than Aug. 30 to the Tulare County Elections Office. A bond measure designation will be announced at a later date once it is confirmed by the Elections Office.