Hospital board to consider budget today

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• KGH shouldn't tax

  KGH shouldn't tax

  In the Tri-City Herald's Mid-Columbia section on Nov. 11, the Kennewick Public Hospital District Board bragged about projected increased revenue because of the rising number of patients in its clinics and hospital. The approved 2012 budget does not raise the district's fees for health care. Instead it approved a 1 percent increase of the property tax on taxpayers who adjust their living costs to live within their budget. Many of us will never use KGH but go to the other two hospitals and pay for our health care without public taxpayer dollars.

  The following is a reminder from the "Get the Facts on KGH Proposition No. 1" in 2007.

  The KGH District was formed in 1948 to supplement KGH with taxes because the small, rural population it served could not support a hospital on patient revenues alone. These taxes helped keep KGH afloat from 1962 to 1968. The population growth from 1969 to 1999 allowed KGH to stop collecting the tax. KGH resumed collecting taxes in 2000, even though the district is now the center

• Candidates tout their background in finance, health care for Kennewick hospital district

  Candidates tout their background in finance, health care for Kennewick hospital district

  Incumbent Katherine Davidson says voters should give her another term on the Kennewick Public Hospital District Board because of her public accounting experience and knowledge of hospital finances.

  "Kennewick (General Hospital) is growing; 2011 is very good," Davidson said. "We have no signs right now of slowing down. I think the board and the administration work very well together. I think we need to keep that on track."

  In particular, Davidson, 47, says voters shouldn't change board members mid-stream when the district is close to securing financing to build a new hospital in the Southridge area.

• AGENDAS: Mid-Columbia public meeting schedule

  AGENDAS: Mid-Columbia public meeting schedule

  Here is a listing of the agendas this week for Mid-Columbia public agencies:

  Thursday

  * Port of Walla Walla Commission, 1 p.m., port administrative offices, 310 A St., Walla Walla: agenda not available as of deadline.

• Davidson leads race for Kennewick hospital post

  Davidson leads race for Kennewick hospital post

  Incumbent Katherine Davidson appeared headed for another term on the Kennewick Public Hospital District Board, preliminary results Tuesday showed.

  Davidson led challenger William "Bill" Alsdurf with 9,488 votes, or 73 percent, to Alsdurf's 3,527 votes, or 27 percent.

  Davidson, 47, was elected to the board in 2008, defeating then-incumbent Dr. Rod Coler. She has a background in finance and public accounting, and is chairwoman of the board's finance committee.

• AGENDAS: Mid-Columbia public meeting schedule

  AGENDAS: Mid-Columbia public meeting schedule

  Here is a listing of the agendas this week for Mid-Columbia public agencies:

  Monday

  * Port of Walla Walla Commission, 9 a.m., port administrative offices, 310 A St.: hold the annual port and airport planning retreat to make capital, administrative and legislative priorities for 2012.