Letter: Ending hospital district not simple

I understand the hospital district was initially approved by voters for the creation and operation of a hospital, and not other minor and incidental purposes.

Before calling for a dissolution, we should understand the process. First, as a municipal corporation, the district is dissolvable only under the provisions of RCW 53.48, which calls for a petition by the district commissioners to the Superior Court for approval. If the district commissioners decline, then the opportunity falls to the county commissioners to petition. The court can approve or disapprove dissolution.

Upon dissolution any remaining tax revenues or property would go to the School District. If the current commissioners do not petition, the voters must elect new commissioners who would. Before that battle is fought, it would be advisable for the current district board to put before the electorate the question of whether the district should be dissolved or continued for specified incidental purposes ( RCW 70.44 ).

It would be nice to know whether the hospital district continues to own and/or operates any facilities post bankruptcy, or has any remaining commitments for its tax or other revenue sources.

We have been kept in the dark on these later issues.