The MCHD recognizes the great medical necessity in our community and the District's responsibility to the public and the taxpayer.
Under this effort and for the betterment of our community the MCHD Board of Trustees are looking to increase the MCHD Ad- Valorem Tax Rate.
The MCHD Board of Trustees discussed a recommendation from the MCHD Finance Committee during a special meeting held on Saturday, August 3, 2019.
MCHD Board President Jesus Casas addressed the proposal.
“ I believe that the change will be beneficial. We are looking to bring in more medical providers and other social services programs that are much-needed, “ said Casas
“A Recommendation from the Finance Committee is to bring the tax rate from $0.12968 cents to $0.14 which is less than $0.2 cents increase. And that will bring extra revenues to the MCHD of $711,000.”
Trustee Adolfo Olivares asked for clarification on what the increase was to be used for.
“I don't want to go out and tax the people just because. I want to be very specific as to what we're going to utilize their money for. If we're going to be bringing in more medical doctors, fantastic we need them. But what else are we going to be doing?” asked Olivares.
“ We have outgrown our building space. If, we're to bring in providers we have no space. So we would have to look into building additional space,” answered CEO Alma Martinez.
Casas emphasized that physician recruitment, expansion of the Medical facility was the purpose behind the proposed increase.
“If the increase is going to be used to expand medical services and our medical offices, I'm on board,” replied Olivares.
The MCHD Board of Trustees consideration was voted on and approved on a 4 to 1 vote with Trustee Juan Manuel Farias voting against the proposal.
I am not ready for a tax increase and I'm not against the direction the Board is moving to. I support it wholeheartedly” stated Farias.
MCHD Board President Jesus Casas, Vice President Becky Robinson, Secretary Aaron Valdez, and Trustee Adolfo Olivares concurred to vote in favor if and only the increase was to assure medical services growth to the region as structured by the law that created the Hospital District in 1965