Elbert BOC Continues Funding Discussion for Elbert Memorial

By David Stephens, WSGC Radio, Elberton

In Elbert County, the Elbert County Board of Commissioners continues to consider whether to give Elbert Memorial Hospital some $600,000 to help cover indigent healthcare costs.

At their regular meeting earlier this month, the board heard from Elbert Memorial Authority Chairman Jim Lloyd who requested annual funding from the county in the amount of $667,000.

But at a work session last week to discuss the matter, Commission Chair Tommy Lyon, expressed concern that the request, even if approved, wouldn’t be enough to cover the hospital’s charity care and bad debt costs.

Lyon says the commission and hospital authority need to have a sit down.

“I think we need to get together with the hospital board, and we need to know what they are going to be”, said Tommy. “What are they going to be in the future, and what are their plans to be?”

“I think we need to get together with the hospital board, and we need to know what they are going to be”, said Tommy. “What are they going to be in the future, and what are their plans to be?” – See more at: http://www.wsgcradio.com/board-of-commissioners-discuss-options-regarding-emh-funding-request/#sthash.us1l8hI5.dpuf

Lyon then suggested two possible approaches the commission could take, if they wanted to move forward with the hospital’s funding request.

“The one choice is you put it on the ballot, but if you do that, it won’t go on until November. Tax bills will have already been sent out, if it gets approved, they still wouldn’t get any money until January 2016 and if they don’t get money by then, they could be gone”, explained Lyon. “The other thing is the commissioners can vote up or down if you want to give it to them or you don’t.”

Commissioner Chris Alexander asked why the county couldn’t contribute more funds via the 2011 SPLOST, b ut County Administrator Bob Thomas said those funds are already allocated specific for capital improvements.

“What the hospital is asking for and needs is operating money. In the SPLOST ballot, it says purchasing equipment for use by the Elbert Memorial Hospital having a maximum cost of $726,000”, said Thomas. “So you can’t funnel anymore money into this SPLSOT because of the way it was written on the ballot.”

No official decision was made regarding how or if to fulfill the hospital’s request, but the commissioners did agree to compile a list of questions to submit to the hospital.   More talks on the matter are planned for future meetings.