Clay County Board Dealing w/Budget Woes

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Published on October 15 2020 3:48 pm
Last Updated on October 16 2020 7:41 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Flora IL

Clay County board members discussed budget woes at this week's meeting.

Board Vice-Chairman Chris Rinehart said when work began on the budget for the new fiscal year, they were $600,000 in the hole. Rinehart said after trimming every place they could, but without cutting jobs, they were still $219,000 in the hole. The Board will vote on adopting the budget at their November meeting, along with the tax levy.

Board Chairman Ted Whitehead reminded members he had said a few months back that other county boards were in financial straits. Whitehead said thanks to the frugality of previous boards, Clay County was insulated for a while, but if things don't change, Clay County could be forced to make its own extreme cuts.

The level of concern was intensified when Rinehart reported the renewal of worker compensation and property/casualty insurance coverage is $45,000 higher than last year. He said certain claims and the pandemic are the reasons for the increase.

Meanwhile, the Clay board approved a three-year agreement with SSM to operate Clay County Hospital and its clinics, as well as the salary of the CEO, as well as the shared cost of the CFO and Human Resources Director, which are shared with Washington County Hospital in Nashville, IL. The agreement grants SSM first right of refusal should the County decide to put the hospital up for sale.

The Board also approved hospital President and CEO Bob Sellers' request to replace the hospital's clinic in Clay City with a facility that offers primary care and expanded behavioral health care. AKRA Builders of Effingham will be general contractor on the project for $51,244. The new clinic will be built just northwest of the Clay City Dollar General store and replace the existing clinic located behind Casey's General Store.

Clay board members also approved a bridge aid petition on Raven Road in Larkinsburg Township, and heard from County Engineer Darin Koelm that beams are being set on the Little Wabash River bridge on Sailor Springs Road at Louisville. It's still not known when the bridge deck will be poured.