Nearly 200 people showed up last night to hear the details of the master plan for improvements to Allen County Hospital.
Consultants detailed the problems of the current facility, stating that the building was out of compliance on many codes and nearing the end of its useful life without improvements. They noted a substantial drop in market share for ACH in recent years, but saw the potential for significant growth with updated facilities.
There were 3 plans put forward, the first being a "band-aid" to the current facility for the next few years costing about 7 million dollars, and planners didn't see that as a viable option. The second was a renovation at the current location, which would cost about 34 million dollars. The last option was a new 25 bed facility, costing around 30 million. Financing the hospital is only possible because ACH is designated a critical access hospital, allowing about 1.4 million dollars of annual Medicare funds.
Other crucial aspects of the funding mix will be a $750,000 county sales tax levy for 10 years and the participation of local banks. Once an initiative is placed on the November ballot, the timeline for building a new facility, if approved by voters, would be 35 months. Renovation would take longer, about 39 months.
Consultants detailed the problems of the current facility, stating that the building was out of compliance on many codes and nearing the end of its useful life without improvements. They noted a substantial drop in market share for ACH in recent years, but saw the potential for significant growth with updated facilities.
There were 3 plans put forward, the first being a "band-aid" to the current facility for the next few years costing about 7 million dollars, and planners didn't see that as a viable option. The second was a renovation at the current location, which would cost about 34 million dollars. The last option was a new 25 bed facility, costing around 30 million. Financing the hospital is only possible because ACH is designated a critical access hospital, allowing about 1.4 million dollars of annual Medicare funds.
Other crucial aspects of the funding mix will be a $750,000 county sales tax levy for 10 years and the participation of local banks. Once an initiative is placed on the November ballot, the timeline for building a new facility, if approved by voters, would be 35 months. Renovation would take longer, about 39 months.
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