By Staff
Contract ‘99.99 percent complete’, ready next week
By DAN PARSONS, Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH —Jeff Judd, CEO of Washington County Hospital, told Washington County commissioners Monday that the hospital-sale contract is “99.99 percent complete” and will be ready for signatures by next week.
Commissioners’ Chairman Billy Corey asked Judd how many “dictionaries did you have to look up when reading that document?”
Chief executive officer Judd assured Corey that at least one dictionary and multiple consultations with lawyers were necessary for him to wade through what he called the “legalese” throughout the contract.
Peoples reminded the board of what comes next in the now three-year process of selling the hospital.
Corey voiced concerns about the transition of emergency medical services from the hospital to the county. Judd countered by saying that the transition will be “as seamless as possible.”
Within the sale proposal, the board approved a plan that Hospital Management Consulting, LLC will pay the county $2.25 million for “hospital assets” — meaning the buildings and equipment — and will take over management responsibilities. The company will also purchase the hospital’s networking capital for $1.27 million making the total sale $3.52 million in the county’s favor.
Washington County Hospital now supervises the operation of emergency medical services within the county. Once the hospital is sold, control of EMS will transfer to the county.
The county entered exclusive negotiations with Kansas City, Mo.-based HMC after a special joint meeting between county commissioners and the hospital board in October. The board heard and approved the final terms of sale at its December meeting.