Central Health approves proposed budget

The Central Health Board of Managers unanimously approved next year’s budget Wednesday. Though the budget is not yet approved by the Travis County Commissioners Court, the board voted in favor of a $295.8 million budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16, with a tax rate of 4.5 percent over the effective tax rate. In a statement about the proposed budget, Central Health President and CEO Patricia Young Brown said, “Because of Proposition 1, Central Health continues to leverage local funds to draw in hundreds of millions of dollars in federal performance incentives. This funding is allowing us to initiate new preventative care, women’s health, behavioral health and specialty care programs with measurable goals and outcomes. … We are delivering on the promises made to residents when they voted to support Proposition 1 in 2012.” On Aug. 25, the Commissioners Court will weigh in on the budget, with a final vote expected Sept. 29.