Monroe hospital bond costs homeowners 43.7 cents on the thousand

A home assessed at $745,000 in the EvergreenHealth Monroe district would pay roughly $27 per month toward a new hospital bond starting in 2028. The proposed tax rate stands at 43.7 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. This figure appears on the ballot for the November 3 election, which asks voters to approve a $382 million construction project.

The proposal follows a failed attempt in August. On that date, Proposition 1 received only 24% of the votes cast, falling short of the 60% supermajority required to pass. The measure returns to the ballot in November without changes to the total amount or the intended purpose. Lisa LaPlante, the chief administrative officer for Snohomish County Public Hospital District No. 1, states that the district's financial analysis identified voter-approved bonds as the least expensive method to finance the build.

The district currently operates the only full-service hospital between Wenatchee and Everett. It serves approximately 45,000 patients within the district, a number that rose from about 30,000 in 2022. The existing facility includes 26 inpatient beds and a 14-room emergency department that treats between 60 and 80 patients daily. Hospital officials argue that the aging campus, which has undergone eight major additions, limits future expansion due to nearby railroad tracks and neighboring properties.

The new facility would be constructed on the parking lot adjacent to the current building. This plan calls for 48 inpatient beds and 22 emergency rooms, including spaces dedicated to behavioral health. Surgical capacity would more than double compared to the current site. The existing hospital and emergency department would remain open throughout the construction process. District leaders say this approach ensures no interruptions to service delivery.

Operating revenue currently covers daily patient care and routine maintenance. The district has already planned over $65 million in investments for normal upkeep and new specialty services. The bond levy is separate from these operational funds. Every dollar raised through the bond must go directly toward the costs of building the replacement hospital. The district is prohibited from borrowing more than the amount voters approve.

Voters in Sky and Snohomish Valley will decide on the measure on November 3. Ballots must be returned before 8 p.m. on that date. The district is governed by a publicly elected Board of Commissioners who oversee the hospital's operations and strategic decisions.