King County to hold I-695 impact meetings

Public Health-Seattle and King County is asking for help in

identifying possible budget approaches in the event Initiative 695 passes. To that

end, it is scheduling community meetings to allow the public to learn about

the potential impacts of the initiative and to provide input on public health

program changes to accommodate the potential loss of revenue.

According to the organization, the motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) is

a current source of funding for several public health programs in

King County. These include such activities as infectious disease control

programs, safe food and drinking water programs, and services for the

elderly, children, and people with low income and/or high health risks.

If approved in November, I-695 would take effect on Jan. 1, 2000.

Public Health-Seattle and King County would lose approximately $10

million yearly in revenue from MVET. It would also lose other

"leveraged" funds, such as reimbursements

from Medicaid and federal administrative match funding. Absent an

alternative funding source, this could cause reductions in public health services.

The four community meetings to discuss these issues are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, Oct. 12 - Seattle Central Community College,

Broadway and Pine, Room 111, Seattle, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.;

• Wednesday, Oct. 13 - Good Neighbor Center, 305 S. 43rd

St., Renton, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.;

• Wednesday, Oct. 13 - Eastgate Public Health Center, 14350

S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and

• Thursday, Oct. 14 - Federal Way Public Health Center, 33431 13th

Pl. S., Federal Way, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

If you are interested but are unable to attend one of these

community meetings, mail your comments to Mark Alstead, 999 Third Ave.,

12th Floor, Seattle, WA, 98104, or e-mail to mark.alstead@metrokc.gov.

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