Membership on the KVHD Board Has Been Rewarding and Challenging

By Kathryn "Kay" Knight

My diverse education and employment history has been a compliment to my service to others and to my ability to serve effectively on the KVHD Board of Trustees.

I listen energetically to community, employees, staff, and fellow board members with sincerity, honesty, and integrity. I am accessible and transparent in the Kern River Valley.

I have served on the Board Personnel/Policy Committee for four years. I immediately grew to understand the problems that we faced then, and eagerly worked to resolve those issues with strength, wisdom, and character. I continue to work, diligently, to formulate and preserve district-wide Policies and Procedures that MUST be in compliance with State regulations. Our Board Policy/Personnel meetings sometimes last a six-to-seven-hour day, just to effect the necessary changes that must occur. Some of our policies were fifteen years old when I came on board in 2006. The Policy Manuals for each department are close to being completed. It has been a huge task, but one worth all the effort taken.

I have served on the Board Finance Committee for the past four years. I have asked a lot of questions, received a lot of answers, but the "SOLUTIONS" are not always a result of the questions OR answers! I understand Medicare and Medi-Cal reimbursement methods and depreciation costs and reimbursement. I read thoroughly the financial statements each month and have prepared questions ready at the Finance Committee meetings.

I have attended the Association of California Healthcare District's Annual Meetings and Board Governance Seminars. The Association is a group of 74 California rural district healthcare districts, that provide legislative strategies for the benefit of Districts, provide educational seminars and workshops to educate board members, CEO's, CFO's, and promote changes at the state level to effect the proper changes to impact the future of all of our Healthcare Districts.

The GREATEST CHALLENGE that the Kern Valley Healthcare District faces today is the LONG-TERM DEBT that has been hovering over our head for over twenty years. I truly believe that that NEGOTATION with CAL-MORTGAGE is the best answer to our long-standing problem.

If we could reduce that debt by at least 50%, it would help us to continue in a financially viable manner. We would need to approach Cal-Mortgage with strength through experts in that field in order to accomplish that task. It is feasible; it is workable; and I BELIEVE IT IS OUR ONLY ANSWER!!! Our healthcare district NEEDS to survive here. I want that to happen.

Creative solutions can be found when sought. Throughout the past four years, I have been encouraging alternative solutions to our financial woes. The Administration and fellow board members do not want to listen.

The KVHD Board and ADMINISTRATION want to go to the taxpayers to pay back $7.3 MILLION DOLLARS to pay back the Revenue Bonds taken out twenty years ago. This District has paid EVERY YEAR for twenty years, and still owes more than the original 1986 Bond Indenture.

I have said it, and I will say it again, I will support what the voters want. Do you want to increase your taxes for the next thirty years? With interest, before the final interest expense is calculated, the final pay-back on this general obligation bond will be close to $35 Million dollars. I got that number from an accountant I am working with.

Do you want to abide by a SOLUTION to let the culprits, Cal-Mortgage, NEGOTIATE at least a 50% pay-down on this unscrupulous debt rather than bring $7.3 Million bail-out to the community?

A workable strategic plan should be in place to conquer the issues we face.

Thank you. KATHRYN KNIGHT

PLEASE VOE FOR KATHRYN KNIGHT on November 2nd. Thank you again.