EvergreenHealth Monroe Seeks Bond Measure For Replacement Hospital Facility

MONROE, Wash. – This August, voters in Snohomish County Public Hospital District #1 (SCPHD#1), known as EvergreenHealth Monroe, will be asked to consider Proposition 1, an Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) Bond Measure. If approved, the measure would authorize the district to issue no more than $382 million in bonds to construct, equip and support a replacement hospital and related health care facilities on the EvergreenHealth Monroe campus.

"EvergreenHealth Monroe provides care for Monroe, Sky Valley and Snohomish Valley communities," said EvergreenHealth Monroe Chief Administrative Officer Lisa LaPlante, MHA. "Over the last 3 years, we have cared for roughly 50% more patients, and demand has increased across our emergency, inpatient and specialty services. If approved, a replacement hospital facility at EvergreenHealth Monroe would address this growing demand for care while helping us plan for the future needs of our community."

If approved, the bond measure would create a temporary property tax for residents of SCPHD#1, averaging a rate of $0.437 per $1,000 of assessed home value. The bond would be repaid through the property tax for up to 30 years. For a median home, the property tax would equate to an estimated $40.75 a month.

Why now?

EvergreenHealth Monroe is the only full-service hospital between Wenatchee and Everett, and key areas of the hospital are operating at or near capacity. The Emergency Department currently has 14 treatment beds while serving 60-80 patients each day. Additionally, inpatient units are frequently near or at full capacity.

Meanwhile, some areas of the current facility are several decades old. While these areas are well maintained, older infrastructure poses barriers to increasing efficiencies, improving patient flow and renovating space for modern equipment.

In recent years, EvergreenHealth Monroe has continued to increase access by expanding specialty practices to its Monroe campus and adding facility space for operational flexibility and outpatient visits. The current hospital campus does not have the footprint to allow for the future growth required to meet the rising health care needs locally.

What Would the UTGO Bond Fund?

If approved, Proposition 1 would fund a replacement hospital facility with:

• Approximately 50 inpatient beds with the ability to expand to 75 to 100 in subsequent years
• Expanded Emergency Department treatment capacity with improved patient flow
• Increased number of operating rooms with added ability to perform more procedures
• Updated patient care spaces to support advanced equipment and enhanced care delivery

Learn More

To learn more about the proposed levy lid lift, explore frequently asked questions, and access educational resources, visit: www.evergreenhealth.com.

Election Day is August 4.