A strategic alliance between Valley Medical Center and UW Medicine likely now will go before Valley’s commissioners in early May.

In a meeting earlier this month, there was an indication an initial agreement could be reached in time for the Valley commission to begin its review on April 18. The UW Medicine trustees and the University of Washington trustees also must approve the agreement.

“The negotiating teams continue to meet as they work toward a draft agreement that is acceptable for their governing boards to consider,” said David Smith, a Valley legal counsel

“There is much in the way of common ground already established, but details remain to be negotiated,” he said,

There’s a May 31 deadline to approve the agreement. The idea is for Valley’s commissions to devote several meetings to review the agreement before voting. Typically, the board meets twice a month but special meetings are possible.