While County Legal Counsel Paul Dean reviewed changes to the contract related to acquisition of the CareArc facility, Greenwood County Hospital (GWCH) CEO Sandra Dickerson discussed the transition schedule with commissioners.
CareArc will be closing the doors of their Eureka location Feb. 29, they will then remove what equipment they are maintaining March 1 and GWCH staff will begin moving in March 4. While staff transitions to the new location, the Eureka Clinic will be closed March 4 and 5. Eureka Clinic is slated to re-open at the new location, 1602 N. Elm, on March 6. Dickerson noted that former CareArc patients wishing to continue medical care through Dr. McClintick (and Shannon Barus, APRN-C) will have to fill out a request for transfer of electronic records. Dickerson shared that most equipment in the building will remain. In regards to grant funds submitted for, to be applied towards purchase of the facility, a document is to be sent to GWCH and the county treasurer for signature. Grant dollars are estimated to be received within six weeks.
On paper, CareArc will be leasing the building to the hospital for two months, to afford time for all business to be completed while they make the transition. Lease is included within the purchase price and does not impact the purchase total. As GWCH takes ownership of the building, they will continue leasing office space to the Eureka Pharmacy. Legal Counsel Dean reviewed the contract and, due to missing verbiage in regards to the lease term, to meet the planned dates, a special meeting of the commissioners is anticipated for later this week.
Road and Bridge Superintendent John Schouten and Foreman Allen Greenwood were present Monday morning to provide the weekly department report. In addition to working on roads to improve conditions, Schouten shared that department crew members were also performing culvert installations. Commissioner Roy Ballard shared that EE Road culverts were plugged.
After acknowledging the departments busy schedule, Commissioner Preston Evenson asked if there were plans to trim trees. Schouten noted that they have done some. Evenson asked that this be completed for bridges located along curves, such as H Road.
Evenson referenced the fire last Friday east of Eureka, reporting that Road and Bridge had been asked to bring out a piece of equipment to aid firefighters. Evenson then voiced appreciation for those who went out from Road and Bridge and moved tires on the property to aid with the fire.
Ballard advised that property owner Larry Short was accepting the county’s bid so they can move forward with bridge work. During discussion with Short, Ballard noted he had voiced concerns in regards to tax on timber land being higher than pasture. Ballard looked into this and noted they are taxed at the same rate, numbers are however impacted on soil type. Ballard voiced appreciation for Short accepting the bid.
On behalf of the annual Field Trials event, Joy Howell was present seeking monetary contribution. The Field Trials, which will be held this October, includes an opening dinner, snack availability and distribution of pins displaying the event year.
As she discussed the event with commissioners, Howell shared that the German Short Haired Pointer Club has been coming to Greenwood County for 37 years. As she discussed Greenwood County as an ideal location for the event, Howell noted use of local amenities/ businesses, including the hospital, grocery store, gym and lodging. After sharing that a few individuals had needed medical care last year, Howell noted the Greenwood County medical care is amazing and added that the hospital takes good care of people. Last year, Greenwood County donated $2,000. Howell reported that the event would be needing to order a new banner which is estimated to total $700. Evenson will reach out to the City of Eureka in regards to funding towards the event. Howell is slated to return to the commission meeting next week to discuss this further.
Ballard discussed a location north of Madison near Blakely Cemetery. An area property owner who is building fence approached Ballard and is wanting to know if the county would address trees. No opposition was voiced to this.
Equipment needs were briefly revisited/reviewed. Commissioners asked that CAT and John Deere visit with commissioners on options including purchase, lease and rent.
An executive session with Schouten and Greenwood, for the subject of personnel, was held for 10 minutes. Following the session, no decisions were made.
Special payables for Feb. 26 in the amount of $4,414.30 were approved.
The treasurer’s report was reviewed.
Minutes of the Feb. 20 meeting were approved as written.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, March 4 at 9 a.m.
