Public Hearing on Grossmont Healthcare District Board Elections

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) has announced a public hearing will be held as part of its future transition to district-only or zone-based elections. The public will be invited to address the GHD board of directors at a public hearing scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 7, at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E Douglas Ave., El Cajon.

GHD held two previous public hearings in December on the transition to zone-based elections. For decades, GHD has used an at-large election system in which board members have been elected by the voters of the entire district. However, pursuant to the 2001 California Voting Rights Act, the GHD board announced in October its intent to switch to a district-based election system consisting of board members elected only by voters residing within a specific election district or zone. GHD’s decision to transition is similar to that taking place statewide with hundreds of local public agencies, including healthcare, water and school districts, as well as cities and other governmental jurisdictions.

At the Jan. 7 public hearing, details will be available about the transition process. A presentation will be made by representatives from a company that specializes in demographics and mapping. In addition, the public will be invited to provide input regarding the composition of the new districts. A GHD board business meeting will start at 5:30 p.m., with the public hearing to commence at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

“We’re looking forward to hearing additional input from residents about this transition and the composition of the new districts,” said Barry Jantz, GHD Chief Executive Officer. “If someone cannot attend in person, we’re also accepting written input.” Written correspondence can be sent to Jantz at bjantz@grossmonthealthcare.org. For additional information on the transition process, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org/about-ghd/zone-based-elections/.