Measure X Makes Economic Sense
I am a recent employee of the county of Ventura and am thoroughly familiar with the county’s proposal to build an ambulatory care center--Measure X on the March 26 ballot.
Ventura County is in real need of a central outpatient clinic building at the county hospital to house clinics that are spread out in rented offices in the city of Ventura.
The clinics were forced out of their county offices when the buildings were condemned due to asbestos problems. The ambulatory care center will save the taxpayers half a million dollars a year in rental costs.
At least $27 million in state grants will be used to pay back the certificates of participation, which will be used to finance the project. Hospital revenues and savings from consolidating the clinics will provide the remainder of the needed funds. No tax increase is involved; in fact, none is permitted under state law to pay back certificates of participation.
Measure X gives voters the opportunity to examine the proposal. It is clear that it makes economic sense. It is needed to maintain an efficient and low-budget health delivery system for county patients, and it will not cost taxpayers anything. In fact, it will allow the Ventura County Medical Center to continue its impressive record of reducing the amount of county general fund contributions to its operation.
I urge voters to support Measure X.
RICHARD WITTENBERG
San Jose
Richard Wittenberg is the former chief executive officer for Ventura County. He is now county executive in Santa Clara County.
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