PORTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2003
9:00 AM


The special meeting of the Porter County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 in the Commissioners' Chambers of the Administration Center.

Those present were Com. David Burrus, Com. John Evans and Com. Larry Sheets and Attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger.

President David Burrus called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

PORTER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CONTRACT RENEWAL
Ronald Winger, CEO Porter Memorial Hospital
John Rhame, President, Porter Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees

Com. Burrus, "For the last year and a half, the Board of Commissioners have been wrestling with the result of significant revenue shortfalls. As part of our efforts to adjust to that reduced revenue stream we've had to look at literally every item in our budget, both large and small, that might be able to be adjusted favorably in terms of reduced costs. For at least half of the period I referred to, probably 9 or 10 months at a minimum, rather informally at first and more formally later on, we have had discussions with the representatives, both Mr. Winger, as the administrator and John Rhame as the president of the board of trustees of Porter Memorial Hospital. The topic has been the subsidy that the Commissioners' budget forwards on to the hospital on behalf of the county for the emergency ambulance service. Those discussions have been very, very congenial. They have been in recognition by both sides that neither entity has been particularly healthy financially for some time. The Commissioners in particular recognize the fact that the hospital has turned a corner and that their prospects are looking better but yet they are not in a position where they would like to be. Similarly, the county is in the obvious financial problems I mentioned earlier. The discussions have been aimed at what might be able to be done for the benefit of the county and at the expense of the hospital to try and adjust this ambulance subsidy. The Commissioners' request was to stay at that subsidy; it could not be reduced or could be reduced down to approximately one- half of what we had been paying in the past. The past figure is $1 million per year and that request would be to look at about $500,000.00. I think it is appropriate at this time to ask the hospital representatives to take a seat up here and we will try to finalize these discussions and see where they take us."

Mr. Rhame, "We take this opportunity to address you today and we do so with pride. We have been in the community for 67 years, our heritage sprung out of a very troubled time in this county, that being the Depression. Individuals came together to put this hospital together at that time after seeing the need to take care of people. We recognize at this particular time that the need is very real, very present and is not on the horizon; it is now. We have carried on these discussions with you and have observed what has happened throughout the county, having observed and understanding the number of people that are suffering financially in layoffs, people that are having their benefits taken away from them, not through any efforts or wrongs they have done, but through financial decisions that have been made beyond their control. We believe that it is very important and critical to the county that the Board of Trustees of Porter Memorial Hospital Systems step forward at this time. I am here today as their representative to say to you that we wish to assist the county and the figure of $500,000.00 that has been requested of us by the Commissioners, we are willing to accept. We believe that would assist you and likewise would not put our institution in any jeopardy or peril at this particular point and through the negotiations we feel that it is best for providing health care and services that we assist the county at this junction."

Ron Winger, "I would like to say I appreciate the spirit of our discussions that have taken place. We realize the situation the county is in. We all live in this county and take great pride of what goes on here. I am pleased and cautiously optimistic that we are in a position to do be able to do what we think is the right thing with the ambulance subsidy. We are very supportive of your situation as you have been supportive of us and we want that partnership to continue. We are pleased we can do this. We think it is the right thing to do."

Com. Burrus, "We appreciate that."

Com. Evans, "I think your leadership and generosity is very much appreciated here. I think there are a few things that need to be mentioned in regard to what you are sacrificing. Currently, the hospital loses about $250,000.00 a year in providing the ambulance service. This would bring your loss to about $750,000.00 a year. An article was written a few weeks ago in one of the papers that there was about a $6.2 million charge in operating that service county wide. Part of that is made up with insurance and medicare. The other part, you actually lose money. It is not something that is easy to do. To say I am losing money and then to continue to say I want to lose more money. In 1987, the county oversaw the operations of the ambulance service, that soon became the hospital service, and that was 16 years ago. The subsidy at that time has never increased significantly. You should be commended for what you are doing here. It is really appreciated. The other thing, it is the only money that this county pays Porter Memorial Hospital for anything."

Mr. Winger, "We hope the residents will understand and know that. I think there is some confusion on their part that they think the county really gives us a lot of money. We know that to not be the case. I also would like to share with you an additional item. We have not specifically talked about that. That is we know you have been going through great pains to try and balance your budget and we also know from our discussions with the Porter County Health Department that there are pending changes to be made to the immunization program. We feel very strongly that the health of the residents of Porter County, especially the children, is very important. We are willing to donate $25,000.00 a year for two years to the Porter County Health Department to insure that children in our county are receiving immunizations. We want it to be clear we think it is in the best interests of all of us to have immunizations take place. We discussed this topic this morning in our medical executive committee that 92% of the residents received immunizations in Porter County. That is one of the highest in the state of Indiana. We do not want to see that go down. I will tell you that we are asked for dollars from a lot of organizations that are worthy; such as the American Cancer Society; the Heart Association; and we will cut those expenditures back in the future because we think it is more important that the County Health Department provide immunizations to our children. We would like to make that gesture this morning."

Com. Burrus, "On behalf of the county and the Health Department, we want to thank you for that. I have a document here that summarizes a number of other contributions and other efforts that you contribute to the county. I would hope that we could make that available to the press to point out the scope and the scale of the contributions the hospital is making. One thing I wanted to comment on is that the decision the hospital made to assist retirees and employees of Bethlehem Steel that find themselves without insurance. It is a very significant contribution and I feel that had this been a private hospital, there would not have been any effort made. I think the community should recognize the value we have here. So from us, thank you."

Com. Sheets, "We have taken a stand publicly some time ago that the hospital is not for sale. We believe that the hospital, whether it is the hospital, the employees, or the foundation, they contribute more to the community than the community realizes. Maybe more than what the Commissioners realize. We know you are an asset to the county, not one that should be taken as lightly as a handful of people might suggest. I appreciate what you do for the community. I think you have done a good job. Thank you."

Com. Burrus, "The agreement we have reached today will be finalized in a contract that will bear a date of January 1st, 2004. There will be a few other details worked out but the essence is agreed to today."

Com. Evans, "In relation to the Health Department donation, I think that is remarkable after what you have already given up, it really says a lot about your intention for the health and welfare of this county. There were 4,500 fewer vaccinations given last year because of the financial constraint put on the Health Department. Your gift will protect the infants and children of this county for a long time."
COUNTY TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE STATE CASINO REVENUES

Com. Evans, "In a non-related matter, I received a call from state representative Ralph Ayers last evening and he tells me that the county will receive $387,759.11 this August, next August, and the August after that from the non-gaming counties share of the casino revenues dependant upon two things. That is the governor signing the budget bill today, and the roll back version of House Bill 1519 being signed as well that removes the restriction on the use of those funds and allows the county to do whatever we want with it."

Com. Evans moved to recess, Com. Sheets seconded, motion carried.

With no further business, the meeting was recessed.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Porter County, Indiana

David L. Burrus
John A. Evans
Larry D. Sheets

Attest, Sandra K. Vuko, Auditor