|
|
|
Last week, the Wellington City Council wanted more information on Sumner Regional Medical Center (SRMC) when they asked the Council for another abatement on their utility bill.
The City Council held a work session on Dec. 13 which included a 45 minute discussion on the topic. After that, a special City Council meeting took place.
"After much discussion, [the Council] did approve, unanimously an abatement for six months for SRMC, for utilities," said Wellington City Manager, Gus Collins. The abatement is for six months at approximately $170,000 to $180,000 in 2012.
Abatement has happened before for SRMC.
"In July of 2010, they were approved for a sixth month abatement," Collins said. "After that six months expired, [the Council] considered it again and extended it for an additional six months." On July 1, 2011, the hospital began paying the utility bill again.
More than the City has been pitching in to help the hospital finincally. In May 2010, SRMC employees took a 6 to 10 percent pay cut, in addition to heading into a third year without raises.
"They've been doing their part to make the hospital successful and to continue to provide the services," said SRMC President and CEO, Dr. Bob Bean. These efforts have also been acknowledged by the City.
"They've certainly done their part, there was some salary reduction," Collins said. "The governing body, as well as the hospital wanted to try to reinstate, at least a portion in 2012 of their salaries."
With the City granting abatement for the hospital's utilities "...It will at least reduced the cut that our employees have taken," Bean said. The SRMC Endowment Foundation has been in the process of conducting a survey with hospital users to see how they rate SRMC.
The City will look at the results from that survey "...to see how we move forward on the hospital itself for consideration of additional support, and then look at our options from that standpoint." Collins pointed out that the hospital is doing much better compared to 2010, but that SRMC is still on pace to operate in a deficit of at least a half a million dollars, which was a factor in the City provided support.
"We're very appreciative and grateful to the City Council for the assistance that they approved last night," Bean said. "It's going to mean a lot to our employees."
Last week, the Wellington City Council wanted more information on Sumner Regional Medical Center (SRMC) when they asked the Council for another abatement on their utility bill.
The City Council held a work session on Dec. 13 which included a 45 minute discussion on the topic. After that, a special City Council meeting took place.
"After much discussion, [the Council] did approve, unanimously an abatement for six months for SRMC, for utilities," said Wellington City Manager, Gus Collins. The abatement is for six months at approximately $170,000 to $180,000 in 2012.
Abatement has happened before for SRMC.
"In July of 2010, they were approved for a sixth month abatement," Collins said. "After that six months expired, [the Council] considered it again and extended it for an additional six months." On July 1, 2011, the hospital began paying the utility bill again.
More than the City has been pitching in to help the hospital finincally. In May 2010, SRMC employees took a 6 to 10 percent pay cut, in addition to heading into a third year without raises.
"They've been doing their part to make the hospital successful and to continue to provide the services," said SRMC President and CEO, Dr. Bob Bean. These efforts have also been acknowledged by the City.
"They've certainly done their part, there was some salary reduction," Collins said. "The governing body, as well as the hospital wanted to try to reinstate, at least a portion in 2012 of their salaries."
With the City granting abatement for the hospital's utilities "...It will at least reduced the cut that our employees have taken," Bean said. The SRMC Endowment Foundation has been in the process of conducting a survey with hospital users to see how they rate SRMC.
The City will look at the results from that survey "...to see how we move forward on the hospital itself for consideration of additional support, and then look at our options from that standpoint." Collins pointed out that the hospital is doing much better compared to 2010, but that SRMC is still on pace to operate in a deficit of at least a half a million dollars, which was a factor in the City provided support.
"We're very appreciative and grateful to the City Council for the assistance that they approved last night," Bean said. "It's going to mean a lot to our employees."
