Level taxes

Ector County property owners can expect to pay the same amount in taxes next year as they did in fiscal year 2008, if the hospital district's proposed budget passes.

Robert Abernethy, MCH chief financial officer, proposed that the Ector County Hospital District Board of Directors adopt the effective rate of 5.77 cents per $100 property tax valuation. He said that's the effective rate that will bring in the same amount as last year's 6.95 cents.

If the budget passes, MCH can expect to bring in about $5,445,206 in ad valorem tax revenue. Abernethy said that's about $35,000 more than last year because of new property additions.

Though the rate was well below the current rate, it was just below the rate of 5.83 cents that would trigger a rollback election.

Overall, Abernethy expects the average homeowner to pay the same $57 that was paid in fiscal year 2008.

The hospital does expect to bring in an increase of 3.93 percent in sales tax receipts in fiscal year 2009. In addition to property taxes, the hospital district is funded by a three-quarter cent sales tax in Ector County.

Abernethy projects sales taxes to bring in $22.596 million in fiscal year 2009.

Board member Mary Thompson said that's important because it brings in revenue from people in the rest of the Permian Basin.

"That's a more fair tax because the property owners aren't the only ones to use the hospital," she said.

Inpatients at the hospital can expect to see an 8 percent rate increase if the budget is passed. Abernethy said the rates would still compare positively to Odessa Regional Medical Center and Midland Memorial Hospital.

"Within the region, we are very competitive," he said.

Total patient charges are expected to increase to $610.9 million.

Hospital employees will receive a 2 percent market adjustment raise, along with merit increases up to 4 percent based on evaluations. Bedside registered nurses will receive a 6 percent raise.

Thompson was concerned about the proposed capital budget of $17.775 million.

"But we've got a lot going on, so I think it's necessary," she said.

The most prominent new program at the hospital in the next year is expected to be a new positron emission tomography-computed tomography - or PET/CT scan, which MCH chief executive officer Bill Webster said is the "gold standard" in cancer diagnosis.

"It really goes along with our innovations in cancer services," he said.

Board president Judy Hayes said she was pleased with the budget.

"I think they did a great job in putting it together," she said.

Upcoming MCH tax meetings:

>> 5 p.m. Sept. 11: Ector County Hospital District board is expected to set a time and date to adopt a operating capital budget and tax rate, which is expected to be Sept. 25.

>> 4:30 p.m. Sept. 25: The board will vote to adopt a budget and tax rate. Unless the board adopts a budget above the effective rate, it would be the only public hearing scheduled.