Drafter
Clerk 09/24/2024
title
A MOTION relating to the review and assessment of the county hospital's operating, facility, and capital needs to inform potential utilization of the county's authority to levy a councilmanic property tax as allowable under RCW 36.62.090.
body
WHEREAS, Harborview Medical Center is maintained by King County to improve the health and well-being of the entire community and to provide quality healthcare to the most vulnerable, and
WHEREAS, in November 2020, King County voters authorized $1.74 billion in capital bonds to fund facility infrastructure and health and safety improvements at Harborview Medical Center, and
WHEREAS, in 2023, the facility improvement program at Harborview Medical Center funded by the voter approved bond levy was revised due to unprecedented cost growth following the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the entirety of facility and capital improvements planned in 2020 could no longer be accommodated in the $1.74 billion voter approved levy, and
WHEREAS, the council approved a rescoped facility improvement program plan for the county hospital via Motion 16435, which prioritized voter approved bond funding for construction of a new multistory medical tower, renovation of essential services currently located in older hospital spaces, and expansion of county spaces located in older county hospital facilities, leaving some 2020 planned facility improvements unfunded, and
WHEREAS, in 2024 the Washington state Legislature voted to amend RCW 36.62.090, authorizing the councilmanic county hospital property tax for operation, maintenance, and capital expenses of the county hospital, and any outpatient clinics operated by the hospital, and for the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued for such purposes, as the levy previously authorized only maintenance costs for county hospitals, and
WHEREAS, completing the planned 2020 facility improvement plan for the county hospital that included facility infrastructure and health and safety improvements developed by the Harborview leadership group is a priority for the King County executive and King County council, and
WHEREAS, it is also a priority for the King County executive and King County council to complete the updated scope of work recommended by the 2023 ordinance workgroup, and
WHEREAS, in order for King County to utilize up to the full 20 cents of revenue authority allowable under RCW 36.62.090, it is necessary to provide the King County executive and King County council with updated operating, maintenance, and capital improvement needs assessments, costs, and capital improvement plans for the county hospital to inform decision making;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
It is the intent of the King County council to utilize available levy capacity provided under RCW 36.62.090 as needed over time to meet the county hospital's operating, maintenance, and capital needs. The utilization includes continuation of funding for the county hospital's clinics, fulfilling the 2020 planned facility infrastructure and health and safety improvements envisioned for the voter approved Harborview bond program, and the 2023 rescoped bond program plan approved by the council via Motion 16435. The maintenance and capital maintenance needs should be identified and assessed, and have cost estimates prepared by King County and subject matter expert consultants, with input from UW Medicine as the contractor for operating Harborview Medical Center. The operating needs should be identified, assessed, and have cost estimates prepared by UW Medicine and the Harborview Medical Center Board of Trustees, with input from the county as the owner of the county hospital. Once capital improvement plans and operating funding plans are identified and validated, the
executive should work with the council to propose legislation to the council to use the available capacity to fulfill the identified capital and facility needs.