The April 16, 2015 meeting of the Honorable Clay County Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Sheriff Andy Myers.
The Pledge to the flag was led by Sheriff Myers.
The blessing was led by Chairman Brad Harris.
The roll was called: Present: Ted Whitehead, Chairman, Mike Spitzner, Brad Harris, Joe Goodman, Janice Brooks, Jeremy Wildbur, John Weidner, Chris Rinehart, Bryan Knapp, John Bayler, David Johnson, Mike Rinehart, Mary McCollough, Sue Pettit.
Absent: None
Chairman Whitehead acknowledged guest and there were several agenda changes: there will not be an executive session for the Hospital Report, Health Department will have 2 guests speaking, and Hospital President Amanda Goostree will have one guest to introduce.
Motion by Brad Harris, seconded by Jeremy Wildbur to approve the agenda as it stands. Motion Carried. Voice Action.
Motion by Sue Pettit, seconded by Dave Johnson, to approve the County Board minutes of March 10, 2015. Motion carried, voice action.
Motion by Sue Pettit, seconded by Brad Harris to approve the action of the Claims Committee. Motion Carried. 13 YES 1 NO (Mike Rinehart voting no)
Board Member Mike Rinehart reiterated that he will not vote to approve claims until there is a full accounting of all claims.
Board Member Sue Pettit reminded members that State Attorney Marilyn Brant is checking into this, as well as, the Cash Management Plan Resolution previously approved by the board.
Jennifer Brown, 911 Coordinator, presented the 911 Report in written form.
Tim King, Kings Financial Consulting, presented a written report regarding information on refinancing Hospital Bonds. King reported that the bonds have reached their call date and can be refinanced for lower rates. The bonds can be refinanced as Alternate Revenue Bonds by approval of a Resolution at next month’s board meeting. Kings approximate fee would be $70,000 or 2%.
Mike Hobbs, Clay County Hospital CFO, also presented information on the current hospital bond schedule, Medicare reimbursements, and interest earned on SSM pooled investments.
Board Member Sue Pettit questioned and stressed that many board members wanted to keep reserve funds earmarked for bond payment. Hobbs noted that at this time funds have been internally designated as earmarked for bonds payoff. This can be subject to change according to full board decision. Hobbs did not feel it is the best choice to pay off bonds now. Discussion between Board Members and CFO Hobbs continued regarding bonds and cash flow. Hobbs noted that Clay County Hospital’s only interest cost at this time is on the Hospital Bonds. Board Member Mike Rinehart stated he wanted to look further into paying off some of the bonds ahead of schedule.
Motion by Sue Pettit, seconded by Chris Rinehart, to table any action on the bond issue until further review. The Hospital Committee recommendation is to not refinance the bonds. The Executive Finance Committee will meet to review and bring back recommendations, as well. Motion Carried. Voice Action
Xenia Mayor Mitch Payne appeared before the board to request money from Public Safety Funds for the Xenia area nonprofit Xenia Community Safety Corporation. Xenia area residents raise money to go directly to police/ safety fund to purchase a police car, education, and a fund part-time officer. Clay County does patrol the Xenia area as well. Payne was instructed to submit an itemized request to the Executive Finance Committee for next year’s budget.
Additionally, Mayor Payne noted that Animal Control is his next concern. He is very frustrated with CCARS and cannot clearly determine what service they provide. Payne was told that the County contracts with CCARS for Animal Control in unincorporated areas, not municipalities.
The issue was referred to the Animal Control Committee.
The Probation Department Report was available in written form.
Jeff Workman, Clay County Health Department, presented the Board of Health Report in written form.
Workman introduced Brandi Young, Home Care Director, and Audra Wiley, Teen Reach Coordinator. Young provided a brief overview of Home Care for Clay County. Additionally, Wiley spoke regarding Teen Reach and immediate funding cuts for the rest of 2015 and 2016. Wiley noted that Teen Reach will remain open until May 28. At that time Teen Reach assets will be sold to recoup costs that the Health Department is now covering.
Sheriff Andy Myers presented the Sheriff’s Department report in written form.
Motion by Jeremy Wildbur, seconded by Bryan Knapp to ratify the Chairman’s appointment of Kevin Logan to the Board of Review for a 2 year term, replacing Anna Mae Coulter. Motion Carried. Voice Action (with Janice Brooks voting No)
Motion by Sue Petitt, seconded by Brad Harris to ratify the Chairman’s reappointment of Hugh Kessler to the Farmland Assessment Review Committee for a 3 year term. Motion Carried. Voice Action.
Supervisor of Assessments Kindal Eastin thanked Anna Mae Coulter for her years of service to the Supervisor of Assessments Office.
Board Member Brad Harris ask that Eastin check on getting a plague of appreciation for Coulter.
Motion by Chris Rinehart, seconded by Janice Brooks to approve moving $20,000 from the General Fund to Worker’s Comp. Motion Carried.
Treasurer Jana Tolliver presented the Treasurer’s Department Report in written form.
Motion by Mary McCollough, seconded by Jeremy Wildbur, to accept the low bid of Mt. Carmel Stabilization, Inc. of Mt Carmel, IL for providing HFE-150 Emulsified Asphalt, and haul & spread aggregates for the County’s 2015 Motor Fuel Tax maintenance program in the total amount of One Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Seven Hundred Six and 25/100 ($134,706.25). Motion Carried. Voice Action
Motion by Bryan Knapp, seconded by Dave Johnson to approve Bridge Aid Petition 15(06-1) in the Township of Larkinsburg, Clay County, Illinois. Motion Carried. Voice Action
County Engineer Mike Quandt presented the Highway Department Report in written form. Additionally, Quandt noted that the Special Tax Question on the April Ballot passed.
The Board thanked Mike for his efforts to inform voters regarding the Special Highway Tax question.
Clay County Hospital President Amanda Goostree introduced Dr. Doolittle, the owner of Integritas Emergency Physician Services. Integritas has begun staffing the Clay County Emergency Room. Dr. Doolittle recognizes the need Southern Illinois has in recruiting physicians and offered assistance through his Physician contacts. Emergency Room Physicians have stepped up to help with patient load since the death of Dr. Jenkins.
Additionally, Goostree provided the Hospital Report in written form. Goostree noted that Deb Harris, Nurse Practitioner, has joined the CCH staff and will begin seeing patients at the Louisville Medical Clinic.
Additionally, Dr. Bunnell has agreed to care for CCH patients in the local nursing homes.
Board members briefly discussed the needed purchase of a Digital Radio System. Approximate cost is $23,382.95, an unbudgeted item. Chairman Whitehead referred this to the Executive Finance Committee for a recommendation.
Motion by John Bayler, seconded by Dave Johnson to approve the Architectural and Engineering Study for the renovation of the Kumar Building, cost $10,000, as well as, approving going out for bids for the remodel project. (Unbudgeted item) Motion Carried. 12 Yes, 2 No (Mike Rinehart and John Weidner voting no.)
Motion by Sue Pettit, seconded by Jeremy Wildbur, to adopt the following Resolution. Motion Carried. Voice Action.
RESOLUTION
(MAINTAINING MEDICAID FUNDING TO HOSPITALS)
WHEREAS, hospitals throughout the State of Illinois are major economic engines, with hospitals statewide providing nearly 450,000 direct and indirect jobs and generating more than $83 billion in economic impact annually; and
WHEREAS, hospitals across Illinois are the cornerstones of a strong and prosperous local and state health care delivery system, working to provide the essential high quality, accessible health care critical to ensuring the health and well-being of Illinois citizens; and,
WHEREAS, Clay County Hospital is one of the largest employers in this sparsely populated, rural Clay County area, employing two hundred fifty (250) people, and contributing 20 Million Dollars to the local economy, creating an enormous positive economic impact on Clay County, while providing the convenient, high-quality, accessible health care critical to a healthy community; and,
WHEREAS, Illinois hospitals, in good faith and in partnership with the Illinois General Assembly, have acted in collaboration with the State to help finance the Medicaid program, including absorbing 380 Million Dollars in Medicaid cuts since 2011, and bringing the State of Illinois more than $1 Billion Dollars in Federal funding annually, including $400 Million to non-hospital providers, through the Hospital Assessment Program; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed 2016 budget proposed by Governor Bruce Rauner radically cuts State Medicaid funding to hospitals across Illinois by nearly $800 Million, forcing cuts in jobs and the loss of $1.7 Billion in economic activity statewide; and,
WHEREAS, on a local level, Medicaid provides coverage for twenty-six percent (26%) of the outpatients and twelve percent (12%) of the inpatients treated at Clay County Hospital, in Flora, Clay County, Illinois, so cutting Medicare funding would significantly jeopardize access to health care services for a significant portion of the population; and, it would also place medical jobs and professional health care workers’ positions in jeopardy of being cut; and,
WHEREAS, Clay County Hospital cannot absorb such Medicare cuts, nor is there any other adequate source of funding to compensate for the proposed cut to the Medicaid funding cuts.
THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Clay County, Illinois, to urge the Illinois General Assembly to oppose and reject the Governor’s proposed reductions to Medicaid funding/reimbursements for hospitals.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of Clay County, Illinois, to urge the Illinois General Assembly to consider and enact workable and reasonable alternatives to Medicaid cuts to hospitals, and to work with the hospital community and with the Illinois Hospital Association, to find potential alternatives that permit a reduction of the State budget while still permitting Medicaid funding to hospitals.
DATED this __________ day of April, 2015.
APPROVED:
CHAIRMAN TED WHITEHEAD
ATTEST:
BRENDA BRITTON, CLERK
Motion by Janice Brooks, seconded by John Bayler to approve the Medical Staff Credentialing for the following health professionals. Motion Carried. Voice Action
Reappointment:
Syed Shah, MD Courtesy Neurology
Provisional to Full Courtesy:
Stephanie Van Ulft, MD Courtesy Psychiatry
Rapid Credentialing:
Initial Appointment:
Dr. Donald Bunel, MD Provisional Active Family Practice
Dr. Sean McCain, MD Provisional Active Emergency Medicine
Debra Harris, APN Provisional Specified Professional Affiliate
Clay County Hospital CFO Mike Hobbs presented information regarding Audit Reconciliations for Cash Accounts and Fixed Assets. Auditor’s comments, stemming from 2008, noted that Fixed Assets had not been inventoried for the last 7 years.
Administration and Department Managers reviewed inventory lists, discovering approximately $990,000 worth of equipment still on the books that had been disposed/discarded, some dating back to 1973. After reconciliation, approximately $990,000 had to be written off of the Hospital’s Asset Listing, resulting in $90,000 loss on disposal.
Hobbs assured board members that inventory procedures will be implemented in future.
Hobbs next addressed Auditor’s comments regarding reconciliation of Cash Accounts, Since 2010, Auditors have noted in their management comments, the books did not agree to the cash statements received from the banks. The General Ledger did not agree to the bank statements that were received from financial institutions. To remedy this, bank statements were compared to the General Ledger, showing net $209,000 discrepancy. Reconciliations with the various types of accounts is not always easy and had not been done for quite some time, thus entailing an entry to the books to get them back in line.
Board members questioned Hobbs mentioning accountability and the possibility of a forensic audit. Board Members were perplexed that these matters had not been brought up before and thanked Hobbs for disclosing the Audit findings and working to adjust the accounts.
Board members questioned where the money went to, with Hobbs responding that it’s not to say the money went anywhere. It’s a number under a dual entry accounting system that got put there with no substantiation behind it.
It could be a typo, debit/credit transposition error, undiscovered since reconciliations weren’t being done.
At this point, Goostree interjected that she is hoping to invite the entire board to the audit presentation meeting.
Board Members discussed a forensic audit, with Hobbs noting that you would need to go back to where it balanced and move forward to find errors. One possibility was for the Executive Finance Committee to check on estimated costs.
Hobbs then addressed the Dated Medicaid and Medicare Accounts. In examining the books, several accounts receivables dating back to 2010, show approx. $500,000 uncollected and past the Medicare/Medicaid filing deadline. Hobbs noted that more oversight and review of accounts receivables will be implemented.
The Receivables accounts will be written off and more are expected to be found, with information being shared with board members.
CFO Hobbs then shared a Revenue and Volume 4 year Trending Report in written form, showing substantial growth in Inpatient Revenue, as well as Outpatient Revenue.
Additionally, Hobbs provided the Fiscal Year 2015 year end Financial Summary, ending the year with a total gain of $300,460.00
Chairman Ted Whitehead presented the Regional Office of Education #12 Quarterly Report of Official Acts.
Motion by Jeremy Wildbur, seconded by Janice Brooks, to ratify the Chairman’s appointment of Mary McCullough to SCIRP Economic Development Committee. Motion Carried. Voice Action.
Chairman Whitehead opened the floor to public comment with several individuals from the audience addressing concerns with the Board.
First to speak was Danette Craig who provided a letter to all board members. Craig provided contact information in the letter and is eager to speak with them regarding issues at the Clay County Hospital.
Chairman Whitehead respectfully corrected, that to his knowledge, she had never been denied the opportunity to speak at the Hospital Committee and urged her to follow protocol and go through the Hospital Committee with issues/concerns.
Next to speak was Barbara Burton. Burton made mention of employees in the audience that are no longer employed at the Hospital
Assistant St. Attorney Melanie Pearce interjected that with any discussion specific to employees, there are options to discuss those issues in closed session.
Burton continued by asking board members to be held accountable for the things that go on at the hospital in regards to money, employee retention, fraud. She urged them to ask questions and not just believe what they are told, to be more informed.
Board Member Mike Rinehart stated that the board owes it to themselves to find out what’s happening at the Hospital, acknowledge that the County does own this Hospital and take accountability. Rinehart urged the board to have a meeting where the general public can come and go into closed session to discuss employee/ hospital issues.
Chairman Whitehead reiterated that he would encourage hospital issues to go through the Hospital Committee. Brief discussion continued regarding special meetings and open meetings act requirements.
Board Member Brad Harris interjected that he would like to see more light shed on issues at the hospital, whether forensic investigations are called for, and stating we all just want what is best for the hospital, patients and the county.
Next to speak was Mike McLane, Director of the CCH Clinic. McLane had praise for CCH administration, citing many in the audience are supportive of the current administration.
Mike Anderson, former CCH employee, was next to address board members. Anderson stated he had sent letters to Ted and Sue, and again to all board members. Anderson felt he was forced out of his employment at the hospital.
Assistant States Attorney Pearce again interjected that the Open Meetings Act is designed for transparency in our government. She feels that a lot of people desire to see that, but there are reasons for exceptions too. Executive Sessions are designed to protect from slander and liability from comments made in public. There are other safer avenues to discuss issues, such as through committee, for both parties to find progress towards transparency.
Chairman Whitehead thanked all for their attendance.
Motion by John Bayler, seconded by Bryan Knapp, to adjourn. Time: 8:50 p.m. Motion carried, voice action.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the County Board:
Your Committee on Paid Claims would beg leave to report that they have examined all claims presented to them, and recommend the payment of the following, and that the Clerk be directed to issue orders on the County Treasurer to the Claimants for the several amounts allowed, as follows, to wit:
No. Names of Claimants For What Amount of Claim
ACT TIRE & AUTO SHERIFF- AUTO MAINT 5.00
AMEREN CIPS JAIL, HWY, PROB, CH-UTILITIES 472.14
AIT CORONER- TOXICOLOGY 360.00
AYERS, JAMIE JAIL- PHONE, SHERIFF- OVERTIME 162.64
BARBECK COMMUNICATION JAIL- MAINT TO EQUIP 153.00
BARBER, STEPHEN D.M.D. JAIL- MEDICAL SERVICES 219.00
BOYD, JERRY COURTS- MISC EXPENS FOR INDIGENTS 400.00
BRITTON, BRENDA CO BOARD SEC FEES, CO CLK- MISC 230.97
BYRD, ASHTON JAIL –PHONE, SHERIFF- OVERTIME & TRAINING 548.08
CARTRIGHT, ADAM SHERIFF UNIFORMS, JAIL- PHONE 208.98
CELLULAR ONE ESDA- PHONE 41.19
CLAY COUNTY ADVOCATE PRESS ELECTION- PUBLICATION 62.70
CLAY COUNTY HEALTH DEP JAIL- MEDICAL SUPPLIES 116.21
COBLE, JIM IMPROVEMENTS TO CO BUILDING 1000.00
COLCLASURE, DERRICK JAIL- SALARIES OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 3854.24
COMPASS WEB ST ATTY- EQUIPMENT MAINT 525.00
CONCRETE EVOLUTIONS JAIL- IMPROVEMENTS TO CO BUILDING 3500.00
COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS COUNTY BOARD-EXPENSE 2015.63
EFFINGHAM TELCOM JAIL- PHONE 103.00
ELECTION SYSTEM ELECTION- COMPUTER SERVICES 6701.63
FANCHER, PHILLIP BAILIFFS 1051.20
MARK FELDHAKE JAIL- PHONE 40.00
FLEET ONE LLC PROBATION- TRAVEL 87.62
FLORA POSTMASTER ESDA- MISC 98.00
FLORA PRINTING COMPANY PROBATION- INCIDENTAL EXPENS 71.80
FRANKLIN COUNTY DETENTION JAIL- HOUSING ADULTS 300.00
FRANK & BRIGHT FUN HOME CORONER- OFFICE EQUIP EXPENS 100.00
GFI DIGITAL CH RECORD- DEBT RETIRMENT 22.90
GOODIN ASSOCIATES CIRCUIT CLERK- SUPPLIES 346.50
GREENWOOD, PAT JAIL- OVERTIME, SHERIFF- AUTO MAINT, TRANSPORTING 778.04
PRISONERS
GREENWOOD, TOM COURTHOUSE SECURITY-BAILIFF 467.20
GROSS, WILLIAM COURTHOUSE- BAILIFF, JAIL- OVERTIME, TRAINING 1687.81
GROVES, TONY JAIL- OVERTIME 205.20
HARRS ACE HARDWARE CH- PURCHASE EQUIP, JAIL- SUPPLIES 236.92
HEUERMAN, CORY JAIL-PHONE 40.00
HOMEFIELD ENERGY JAIL, CH, PROB- UTILITIES 995.06
IACO S OF A- TRAINING 90.00
ILLINOIS SEC OF STATE SHERIFF INCIDENTAL EXPENS 120.00
IPAI S OF A- TRAINING 1020.00
JACONI, JAMES M.D. CORONER- AUTOPSY 1670.00
LEWIS, ELAM JAIL- PHONE 40.00
LEXIS NEXIS ST ATTY- SUPPLIES 250.00
LINDA’S CLEANING SERVICE HWY- UTILITIES 65.00
LOUISVILLE POSTMASTER SHERIFF & CIRCUIT CLK- SUPPLIES, PROB- INCIDENTAL EXPENS 1214.00
MENARDS JAIL- SUPPLIES 94.98
MILLER OFFICE EQUIPMENT PROB- INCIDENTAL EXPENS 98.12
MILLER, WES CORONER- SUPPLIES 84.60
MILNER, CHAD JAIL-PHONE 40.00
MILONE, GARY E COURTS- ATTY FEES FOR INDIGENTS 856.54
MULTI- HEATH SYSTEMS PROB- INCIDENTAL EXPENS 84.00
MUNICIPLE UTILITIES JAIL, CH, HWY, PROB-UTILITIES 2997.53
MURPHY CONSTRUCTION JAIL- PUBLIC GROUNDS IMPROVEMENT 72915.91
MYERS, ANDY JAIL- PHONE & IMPROVEMENTS 228.48
SHERIFF- TRAINING & TRANSPORTING PRISONERS
NOTARY PUBLIC ASSOCIATION ST ATTY- SUPPLIES 49.00
RAY PHILLIPS JAIL-PHONE, BAILIFFS 390.40
PRYOR, JADE CSR, RPR ST ATTY- TRANSCRIPT FEES 18.00
QUILL ELECTION- SUPPLIES 11.99
RICOH SHERIFF- SUPPLIES 125.00
RKDIXON CH RECORDS- DEBT RETIREMENT 131.28
SAV MOR PHARMACY JAIL- MEDICAL SERVICES 54.33
SOUTH CENTRAL FS SHERIFF- AUTO MAINT 2115.07
SPITZNER, STEVEN JAIL PHONE 40.00
STURM, ROBERT JAIL- OVERTIME 151.74
TASER JAIL- SUPPLEIS 182.64
THE WEB CAFÉ INC JAIL- PURCHASEOF EQUIPMENT 224.50
VERIZON JAIL- TELEPHONE 342.39
VOTEC ELECTION- COMPUTER SERVICES 6818.15
WALMART PROB- INCIDENTAL EXPENS, PUBLIC DEFENDER- OTHER EXPENS 53.69
WEIDNER, KRISTA PROB- TRAVEL 341.20
WOOD, STEPHEN JAIL- TRAINING 132.62
WTCI CH, JAIL, HWY-PHONES 531.79
YOUNG’S PIT STOP SHERIFF- AUTO MAINT 30.00
YOUNG, RONALD COURTS- ATTY FEES FOR INDIGENTS 475.95
ZINKS BUILDING CENTER JAIL- SUPPLIES 13.07
TOTAL PAID CLAIMS $121,309.63
UNPAIDS
APEX COMMUNICATION CORONER- SUPPLIES 35.00
BYERS PRINTING COMPANY COUNTY CLERK- SUPPLIES 505.56
CLAY COUNTY REPUBLICAN PROBATION & SHERIFF-INCIDENTAL EXPENS, COURT 240.50
COMMUNICATION REVOLVING FUND JAIL- PHONE 498.55
COMPASS WEB S OF A- & ELECTION- COMPUTER SERVICES 75.00
CREATIVE PRODUCT SOURCING, INC SHERIFF- INCIDENTAL EXPENS 69.00
DBS UTILITIES 120.00
EFFINGHAM TELECOM SOLUTIONS JAIL- PHONE 103.00
FE MORAN, INC COURTHOUSE 232.00
HARRS ACE HARDWARE JANITOR & JAIL- SUPPLIES 355.54
HEAVENS MIST WATER CH- SUPPLIES 91.00
INDOFF TREASURER, STATES ATTY, S OF A, ELECTION, JAIL 3565.47
SUPPLIES, JAIL- PURCHASE EQUIPMENT
PROB- INCIDENTAL EXPENS
KIEFER LANDSCAPING REPAIRS TO COUNTY BUILDING 275.00
LOUISVILLE AUTO PARTS JAIL- SUPPLIES 767.50
MIKES FOOD MARKET DIET & CARE FOR PRISONERS- JAIL 2864.44
MILLER OFFICE EQUIPMENT S OF A – COMPUTER TAX SERVICES 215.00
PERRY’S SMALL ENGINE MAINT TO EQUIP AT COURTHOUSE 220.58
RAY O’HERRON CO SHERIFF- UNIFORMS 57.72
ROBBINS SCHWARTZ MISC & CONTINGENCIES 650.00
THE WEB CAFÉ INC JAIL- SUPPLIES, MAINT ON EQUIP 229.90
THOMSON- REUTERS- WEST JAIL- SUPPLIES 300.00
YOUNG’S PIT STOP SHERIFF- AUTO MAINT 30.00
ZIMDARS A/C REPAIRS TO COUNTY BUILDINIGS 2215.39
ZINK BUILDING CENTER REPAIRS TO COUNTY BUILDINGS 227.18
TOTAL UNPAIDS- $ 13,943.33