UTGO Bond Measure FAQ
As EvergreenHealth Monroe prepares to ask voters in August to approve an Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) bond measure, we have developed additional frequently asked questions to help you understand the bond measure and what the funds will go toward.
FAQ
What will funds from the bond be spent on?
All funds from the UTGO bond measure, if passed, will go toward building and equipping a replacement hospital on the EvergreenHealth Monroe campus. The replacement hospital building would address several limitations that exist at the current facility and help us improve our community's access to our services in multiple ways:
- Growing to approximately 50 inpatient beds to the EvergreenHealth Monroe campus with the potential to expand to up to 100 over time
- Expand treatment capacity within the Emergency Department and improve patient flow, increasing the efficiency of care delivery
- Increased capacity for our operating rooms, giving our providers the opportunity to perform more procedures
- Updated care spaces with up-to-date design capabilities, able to support modern equipment and future advancements in medical technology
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Why is EvergreenHealth Monroe seeking this bond?
In recent years, EvergreenHealth Monroe has seen a significant increase in the number of patients we see across many of our services. This has resulted in several key areas at our hospital needing to run at or near capacity. To address the growing demand of care, EvergreenHealth Monroe's publicly elected Board of Commissioners voted to place the UTGO bond measure on the August 4 ballot.
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How else is EvergreenHealth Monroe addressing increase in demand?
EvergreenHealth Monroe continues to look for ways to improve the quality and safety of the care we provide while also expanding access to everyone in our community. This includes making investments in the latest technology, adding a number of new specialty care practices like Neurology and Cardiology, creating new practices like the new Primary/Urgent Care clinic opening soon in Snohomish and expanding where we can in the current hospital.
However, due to the aging infrastructure of the current hospital, EvergreenHealth Monroe remains limited in its ability to expand and improve patient areas in an impactful way.
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Will funds from the bond be used to increase administrative salaries?
Bond funds will not be used to increase the salaries of administrators or staff. Funds EvergreenHealth Monroe receives through the bond measure, if approved, must be used for the purposes of planning, constructing and equipping a replacement hospital facility.
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How much is the bond and how much will property taxes increase?
If the bond measure passes, EvergreenHealth Monroe will be authorized to issue a bond not to exceed $382 million. This bond would be paid for through an additional but temporary property tax, which would be applied to households throughout the public hospital district.
The average rate for the additional tax would be $.0437 per $1,000 of assessed home value. For the median home in the district, it would amount to an estimated $40.75 per month, or $489 per year. The bond would be repaid over the course of up to 30 years.
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When is the UTGO bond measure on the ballot?
EvergreenHealth Monroe's proposed UTGO bond measure will appear on the ballot on August 4, 2026.
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Questions?
You can learn more about Snohomish County elections and register to vote at the Snohomish County, WA Official Website.
