Allen County commissioners inserted themselves Tuesday morning in a review of the management contract between Allen County Regional Hospital and Hospital Corporation of America.
Tom Williams, chairman of the county commission, said he would join a task force created last week by hospital trustees. Williams said he was concerned that hospital CEO Tony Thompson, who is under the employ of HCA, is also on the task force.
In my opinion I dont think it makes sense for Tony (Thompson) to be on the committee (task force), Williams said, citing a conflict of interest.
Williamss comment was fueled by an observation by Commissioner John Brocker that Thompson does not appear receptive to keeping commissioners apprised of hospital affairs.
Other task force members are hospital trustees Patti Boyd, Sean McReynolds, Terry Sparks and Loren Korte, along with county counselor Alan Weber, and Thompson.
At Tuesdays commissioner meeting Weber said he found Thompsons presence on the task force an advantage, in that he has inside information about HCA.
The goal of the task force is to decide whether to retain the Nashville-based company as its management group, or employ another. HCA has consecutive contracts of five and two years, with the five-year arrangement ending this year and the two-year deal already approved. Consequently, if a change were to occur, it wouldnt be effective until 2020.
Trustees have full authority to decide management of the hospital without commissioners input, even though the county has ultimate financial responsibility.
IN OTHER business, commissioners:
Agreed to spend $3,415.74 for TLC Greenhouse, LaHarpe, to add landscaping to the southeast and southwest corners of the courthouse lawn.
Reappointed Patti Boyd to the Reach Healthcare Advisory Committee.
Agreed to a recommendation from Larry Walden to start each meeting with the pledge of allegiance. A U.S. and Kansas flag stand behind the commissioners table. They also will encourage a minister to come to meetings to provide a prayer in conjunction with the pledge.
Accepted a bid of $3,457 from ACE Refrigeration, Heating and Cooling, Iola, for purchase and installation of an ice machine at the landfill. ACEs bid was the lower of two.
Approved putting a 45 mph speed limit on old Highway 169 for about a mile south of Humboldt. Traffic is expected to increase appreciably on the county road as an alternative to the official detour through Yates Center while U.S. 169 is closed for a rebuild. The highway was closed today for the work.
Discussed the future of the Marsh Arch bridge over the Neosho River at the west edge of Humboldt, the only bridge over the Neosho for which the county is responsible. We need to think about a replacement, and whether to keep the current on as a foot bridge, to maintain its historical presence, Daniels said. Hopefully (anticipated) federal infrastructure money will help with replacement.
Upheld a unanimous planning commission decision to permit crushing of vehicles in a confined area of Terry McDonalds yard east of Gas so they may be loaded onto semi trailers for transport to major recycling companies. They instructed Weber to explore whether an environmental security bond should be attached to the process.
Signed off on a contract that will provide a $100,000 match to grants and contributions collected to help make the Marmaton Market food cooperative in Moran a going affair. The county grant was approved earlier as economic development. Larry Manes said the cooperative group had raised more than enough to meet the grant provision.
