STATEMENT:
Candidate Statement for Marilynne L. Mellander, Candidate for Director West Contra Costa Healthcare District:
I’ve owned a home in El Sobrante since 1978. My property taxes have more than quadrupled since that time.
West Contra Costa Healthcare District (District) formed in 1954 to serve insured community residents. Doctors Medical Center (DMC) serves indigent and uninsured patients. However, District taxpayers have continued to fund what now operates as a County hospital. In spite of calls by property owners, the nurses union and now the Richmond City council to have the County absorb this hospital, Dist. 1 Supervisor Gioia insists this is not financially feasible.
Regardless of what happens to DMC, District taxpayers will be saddled with debt for decades to come. The County has made three transfers of District taxpayer ad valorem taxes totaling $42.8 million without a public vote.
Financial information is hard to come by but I found that:
Our 2011 property tax was sold to investors in the form of Certificates of Participation to pay back the County
Gemino Healthcare Financing receives over $50,000/month interest on a $7,400,000 loan; DMC administration gave them a lien on the hospital property to prevent foreclosure
Hospital CEO Dawn Gideo receives $40,000/month salary
A “stakeholder group” now meets in private to decide the fate of DMC
There has never been citizen oversight on this District in spite of 2011 parcel tax ballot language. I believe citizen taxpayers are important “stakeholders” in all discussions to determine the future of DMC. If elected, I intend to represent the interests of District taxpayers.
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