Allen County counselor Alan Weber expects to have a contract with Health Facilities Group for Allen County commissioners to review next Tuesday morning.
HFG was selected to help commissioners decide whether to remodel Allen County Hospital or build new and how to finance either option. Commissioner Dick Works noted, “I have a concern about finances. We need real numbers from HCA (Health Corporation of America, which operates ACH).”
Weber agreed. “Financial information is No. 1,” he said.
Commissioners have made no commitment on financing, except that sales tax proceeds likely would be involved.
Works said he’d like to have a revenue issue on the Aug. 3 primary election ballot, but that “it might have to be put off to the (Nov. 2) general election.”
SEVERAL members of a hospital study advisory committee were at Tuesday’s meeting.
They will also be asked “to give a recommendation on whether to remodel or build new,” Works said. “We’ll look to their reasons and observations,” he added. Works also wondered whether a new facility would be operated by the county or leased to a management group, as is done with the current hospital.
“We also will want you to help educate the public” about reasons for the final decision, Commission Chairman Gary McIntosh told committee members.
Committee members have a daunting task, McIntosh observed. “You’ll be meeting about every week and probably more as we get close to making a decision.”
The committee has met once and will meet most Monday afternoons, including next week, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the assembly room on the lower floor of the courthouse. Meetings are subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act and the public is encouraged to attend.
