SABINE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES

July 26, 2010

The Sabine County Hospital District Board of Directors met in Regular Session on Monday, July 26, 2010 at 5:30PM in the Sabine County Hospital Board Room 167.

Present
Phil Yocom, President
Earl Willis, VP & Treasurer
Joe McNaughten, Secretary
Dr. Lana Comeaux, Member
Richard Barnett, Member at Large
Becky Pardue, Office Manager

Others Present
Diana Taylor, Hospital Administrator
Duane Keating, Attorney & President of the Sabine County First Responders 
Penny Ferguson, Sabine County Reporter

I.	President Yocom called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

II.	Mr. McNaughten opened the meeting with prayer. 

III.	With no members of the public present for comment, Mr. Yocom continued the meeting.

IV.	Mr. McNaughten asked to correct Chad Moody’s title from the June 28, 2010 meetings.  With that correction, Mr. Willis moved to accept the consent items. Mr. Barnett seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

V.	Before proceeding, Mr. Yocom informed those present that Chester Cox, a former Sabine County Hospital District Board Member, passed away today.
 
VI.	Mrs. Taylor discussed the Sabine County Hospital’s swing bed program.  She offered that while the program is up and running, they are trying to continue its growth by increasing marketing efforts.  One of their efforts included the creation of a new Swing Bed Brochure.  This brochure was made to encourage physicians to use Sabine County Hospital for rehabilitation services. Mrs. Taylor then offered a line graph comparing the inpatient census from the first six (6) months of 2009 to the first six (6) months of 2010.  The Hospital is under slightly from last year by about 3.6%.  With the swing bed program, Mrs. Taylor believes the inpatient census calculations will go up.  Discussing the Hospital staff, Mrs. Taylor announced their pleasure of having recently hired two graduate R.N.’s and two experienced R.N.’s.  She foresees very little use of agency nurses in the future.  Adding from last month’s meeting, Mrs. Taylor stated that Shannon Smith was one of only seven in the state selected as an award winner in the Outstanding Rural Scholar Recognition Program sponsored by the Texas Department of Rural Affairs.  Through this loan forgiveness program, Ms. Smith will work with Sabine County Hospital after graduation.

VII.	Mr. Yocom stated that August 23, 2010 has been set as the next regular board meeting. No action taken.

VIII.	Mr. Yocom explained his conversation with Goodwin-Lasiter, Inc. about having a shelter large enough for 150 people.  Taking into consideration manpower and security issues, it was determined preliminary calculations should be used for 150 people in the shelter.  Mr. Willis moved to adopt the preliminary calculations from Goodwin-Lasiter, Inc. as a basic plan for the shelter of last resort and proceed with the study and application process.  Dr. Comeaux seconded the motion.  Mr. Yocom asked if there was any further discussion.  Mr. McNaughten expressed his concern that the shelter may not be used and that in the long run could potentially use the Sabine County Hospital District’s funds.  He believes that there are many in the community against having the shelter of last resort built.  Mr. McNaughten then asked Mrs. Taylor if she could see any benefits to having the shelter built.  Mrs. Taylor responded by mentioning the possibility of having things like health education classes and support groups for the community.  Mr. McNaughten liked the idea of having the shelter used for vocational education.  Mr. Barnett stated that while he has the same concerns as Mr. McNaughten, he is in favor of going on with the study.  Mr. Barnett then added by continuing with the study for the shelter of last resort, the Sabine County Hospital District Board Members will be able to make an educated decision as to whether or not to build the shelter of last resort. Mr. Willis reiterated Mr. Barnett’s comments.  Mr. Barnett clarified that he is not voting to build the shelter now, but instead, to continue the study to determine Sabine County’s need for a shelter of last resort. Mr. McNaughten affirmed the need to have all of the facts before voting to build the shelter of last resort.  Mr. Yocom agreed that more information is necessary and restated that the preliminary calculations offered by Goodwin-Lasiter, Inc. are basic plans. Having attended the Sabine County Commissioner’s Court Meeting this morning, Mr. Yocom mentioned that Sabine County Judge Watson is in favor of the Sabine County Hospital District’s application to obtain funding for the shelter of last resort.  Mr. Yocom then added at the same time, Judge Watson is exceedingly concerned that there is a misconception in the public that Sabine County taxpayer money will be used to fund the shelter of last resort.  In response to Judge Watson, Mr. Yocom reiterated that the Sabine County Hospital District has never expected, considered, or intimated use of tax money from the County.  With a motion and a second on the floor, Mr. Yocom asked if there were any further comments.  For clarity, Dr. Comeaux acknowledged that the study being made by the Sabine County Hospital District for the shelter of last resort is not costing the Sabine County taxpayers anything.  Dr. Comeaux then added that the Sabine County Hospital District’s Board Members are merely discussing the possibility of building a shelter of last resort for Sabine County.  She then mentioned that it is the Sabine County Hospital Board Members’ duty to protect the interest of the people in Sabine County and they will continue to do so in regards to the shelter of last resort.  Mr. Yocom made known that if things continue to progress with the shelter of last resort, public hearings will be necessary to obtain input from the citizens of Sabine County.  With a motion and a second on the floor and no further discussion, motion carried.
 
IX.	Mr. Yocom mentioned STAT Care ceased operations with Sabine County Hospital in May 2010.  Mr. Yocom asked if there was any discussion.  Mr. Barnett asked Mrs. Taylor if she is pleased with the work Acadian is doing for Sabine County Hospital. She responded by stating any issue that has been brought to Acadian’s attention has been addressed immediately.  Mr. Keating, as President of the First Responder Organization, agreed with Mrs. Taylor and asserted he will continue to assess Acadian’s services. Mr. Barnett moved to accept the STAT Care report. Mr. Willis seconded the motion. Motion Carried.

X.	Mr. Yocom let it be known that the Sabine County Hospital District is lacking one report necessary to calculate how much money will be allocated to each First Responder organization.  Mr. Barnett moved to table until the next regular board meeting, August 23, 2010. Mr. McNaughten seconded the motion. Motion carried.
 
XI.	Mr. Willis confirmed with Sabine State Bank that the Sabine County Hospital District still has an account with the title “Payroll”.  Mr. Willis mentioned upon activation of the account, checks could be made.  Continuing, he confirms that upon monthly approval from the Sabine County Hospital District Board Members, a transfer of funds could be made to cover salary expenses for the Sabine County Hospital District Office Manager.  Mr. Willis moved to open the “Payroll” account, make the necessary transfers into that account from the general checking account, order checks, and begin paying Mrs. Pardue from the “Payroll” Account.  Mr. Barnett is in support of this action, however he would like to see the wording more specific on next month’s agenda before a vote is taken.  Mr. Willis withdrew his motion. No action taken.

XII.	Mr. Yocom opened the bids submitted by the public to bush-hog the Sabine County Hospital District’s property between Sabine County Hospital and Hemphill Family Medicine Clinic.  The District received bids from Mr. Joe Miller for $300, Get-R-Done Services for $200 and Kenon C. Foster for $500.  Upon review of bids, Dr. Comeaux moved to accept the bid from Get-R-Done Services.  Mr. McNaughten seconded the motion. Motion carried.

XIII.	Dr. Comeaux moved to update the Sabine County Hospital District’s records management officer to Becky Pardue.  Mr. Willis seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

XIV.	Mr. Yocom moved to go into executive session.  Mr. Willis seconded the motion. The meeting went into executive session at 6:18pm.

XV.	Returned to regular session at 6:49pm.  As a result, Mr. Yocom moved to direct Mr. Keating to draft a letter of response to an article published in the East Texas Sun.  Mr. Barnett seconded the motion.  Both, Mr. McNaughten and Dr. Comeaux agreed there should be no letter drafted in response.  Dr. Comeaux believed a response letter would be reacting emotionally rather than logically.  Mr. Yocom asked if there is any further discussion.  Mr. Willis believed the article was invalid against the Sabine County Hospital District Board and a letter should be drafted in response.  With no further discussion and a motion and a second on the floor, motion carried.

XVI.	Board Member Comments:

Mr. McNaughten: none
Mr. Willis: He is still looking for a financial training conference.
Mr. Keating: none
Mrs. Pardue:  none
Dr. Comeaux: none
Mr. Barnett: none

XVII.	Meeting adjourned at 6:57pm.

_________________________________                 ___________________________________
Phil Yocom, President				Joe McNaughten, Secretary
Sabine County Hospital District			Sabine County Hospital District
Board of Directors 					Board of Directors