Indian River County Hospital District

First Budget Hearing: September 10, 2020

MINUTES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT

First Public Budget Hearing

FY-2020-2021

September 10, 2020

5:01 PM

 

 

 

TRUSTEES:                           Marybeth Cunningham           Tracey Zudans

Dr. Michael Weiss                  Ann Marie McCrystal

Allen Jones

 

EXCUSED:                            Karen Deigl                            Barb Bodnar

 

STAFF:                                   Ann Marie Suriano                 Jennifer Frederick

Kate Voss                                Jennifer Peshke, Esq.

 

OTHER ATTENDEES:          James Large                            Andrea Greenlee

Michelle Genz                        Marie Andress

 

 

 

Convene Meeting – Marybeth Cunningham, Chairwoman IRCHD

 

Mrs. Cunningham convened the first public budget hearing of the Indian River County Hospital District (“IRCHD”) at 5:01 p.m. Ms. Zudans provided the invocation

 

 

Review of the July 16, 2020 Proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget Information – Allen Jones, Treasurer

 

Mr. Jones stated that on July 16, the District adopted a proposed millage rate increase of 3.25% as a percentage of the rolled back rate. This equates to an increase in ad valorem tax Revenue for the 2020-2021 budget year of $782,221. The proposed budget is equal in millage rate to the tentative budget from July, with the same increase in millage rate over the rolled back rate of 3.25%, which again is an increase in ad valorem tax revenue over last year of $782,221.

 

Mr. Jones further stated that the fundamental mission of the District is to improve the health of the community, primarily by funding access to healthcare services to uninsured residents of the county whose income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. He then explained that the assessed property tax values in Indian River County have increased over 5% this year. Therefore, the proposed budget contains a slight decrease in aggregate in program and administrative expenses. However, most of the Trustees have expressed their desire to add to the existing reserves in the budget to allow for flexibility to respond to a number of unpredictable variables the county may encounter. This includes the fact that COVID-19 has impacted low income earners disproportionately and may result in unforeseen healthcare needs for these residents. Therefore, the District will be prepared to respond to any unexpected expenses that may arise throughout the next fiscal year.

 

Lastly, Mr. Jones stated at the last meeting he advocated for a similar approach but calculated that the proposed budget would provide more reserves than needed. After reviewing the numbers further, he realized that he made an error in his calculations and now supports the modest increase in reserves as reflected in the proposed budget. This budget maintains a flat millage rate of .8011 verses the previous fiscal year, but because of an increase in property valuations, results in an increase to the rolled back rate of 3.25%

 

Mr. Jones asked for Trustee discussion, followed by public comment. Mrs. Cunningham stated that she researched prior year millage rate adoptions and stated that the District typically utilizes .9 mills and further reduced the rate last year. She is in favor of adopting the proposed budget and millage rate so that the District may support any unforeseen healthcare needs that may arise during these uncertain times. Dr. Weiss and Mrs. McCrystal echoed Mrs. Cunningham’s comments and supported Mr. Jones recommended budget and millage rate.   Dr. Large provided his public comment and stated that he is in favor of proposed millage and supports the District adding additional reserves.

 

Mr. Jones made a motion to adopt millage rate of .8011, which was seconded by Mrs. Cunningham. There was no further trustee discussion or public comment and the motion carried 4-1 with Mrs. Zudans in opposition.

 

Mr. Jones made motion to adopt the budget of $15,694,778, which was seconded by Mrs. McCrystal. There was no further trustee discussion or public comment, and the motion carried 4-1 with Mrs. Zudans in opposition.

 

Mr. Jones Announced publicly that the millage rate, as a percentage of the rolled back rate is 3.25%. and that the District’s final budget hearing will take place on September 17, 2020 at 5:01 PM.

 

            Mrs. Cunningham asked for any further Trustee discussion or public comment and there was none. She made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Mrs. McCrystal and carried unanimously.

 

 

Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM

WILLIAM COONEY

SEAT 7

William P Cooney MD is an orthopedic surgeon (retired) who has been a resident of Vero Beach since 2004. He practiced orthopedic surgery at Indian River Medical Center from 2006-2015 within the orthopedic practice of Prosports. He served on the IRMC Foundation for four years. Prior to this, he was a Professor of Orthopedics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, Chair of the Division of Hand Surgery and Vice president of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He served as the Vice Chairman of the Mayo Clinic Development Department. He has been President of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, Consultant at Shrine Hospital systems. He was editor in chief of the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and co-editor of the Journal of Hand Surgery. He held grants in hand and wrist surgery sponsored by National Institute of Health (NIH) and Stryker Orthopedics and has over 250 publications in the field of orthopedic surgery, hand, wrist and elbow surgery and microsurgery- free tissue transfers. Within Indian River County, he has served as Chairman of the Board and President of the Hope for Families Homeless Center, Board of the Indian River Hospital Foundation, We Care and Whole Family Health Center medical practices.

Term:  1/23-12/24

Origination: Elected (2 OC)

Occupation: Retired Surgeon

KERRY BARTLETT

SEAT 6

Kerry Bartlett,  of Vero Beach, has more than 30 years experience in philanthropy, including as vice president of the VNA & Hospice Foundation; VNA chief advancement officer from 2001-2007; and executive director of the Indian River Community Foundation from 2008-2014. Kerry is the founder of The Bartlett Company, which focuses on nonprofit and philanthropic consulting. She also is a managing director for Carter, a Vero Beach company that specializes in advancing philanthropy worldwide. Kerry has spent more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector as a fund development professional and has particular expertise in annual funds, major gifts, endowment campaigns and legacy giving. Kerry is also known for creating and implementing effective donor-centered stewardship programs that build, maintain and strengthen nonprofits’ relationships.

Term:  3/21-12/22   |   1/23-12/26

Origination: Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis
Elected NOC

Occupation: Philanthropic Consultant/Managing Director

KAREN DEIGL

SEAT 5

Karen has been President and CEO of Senior Resource Association, where she successfully advocates for older adults and their families, since 2006. In that role, she helps provide activities, education and services benefiting older and disabled adults in Indian River County. In addition, Karen provides oversight of the community mass transit system for residents and visitors of the county. As CEO, Karen is responsible for a $7 million operational annual budget and managing more than 100 employees. She ensures that fiscally sound and responsible solutions are created to provide healthcare and a better quality of life for all Indian River County residents. Karen earned a BS in Health Administration from Florida Atlantic University and an MHA from the University of Florida. She was elected to the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees in 2016, and joined the Board in January 2017.

Term:  1/17-12/20   |   1/21-12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC | Elected NOC

Occupation: President/CEO

PAUL WESTCOTT

SEAT 4

Paul Westcott has been a Board Certified Workers' Compensation Attorney since 1999. In addition, Paul has earned his certification from the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil and Family Law Mediator. Receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Economics and Political Science at Florida Southern College, he continued his education at Stetson University College of Law. He graduated from Stetson in 1988, having been a published member of the Stetson Law Review. Paul has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1988.  He began his practice in a combined civil litigation and transactional practice before serving as an Assistant State Attorney.  He began his career in Workers' Compensation with Rissman, Weisberg, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue & McClain P.A., where he handled Workers' Compensation cases at the trial and appellate levels.  In 1997, Paul opened the Ft. Pierce office of Hurley, Rogner, Miller, Cox, Waranch & Westcott P.A. handling workers' compensation cases at all levels throughout central and south Florida, while managing the operations of that office.  During his nearly 25 year career in Workers' Compensation, he lectured on a wide range of industry topics.


Term:  1/23-12/26   |   1/21-12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC 

Occupation: Attorney & Mediator

BARBARA S. BODNAR

SEAT 3

Barbara has practiced physical therapy, specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine, in her hometown of Vero Beach since 1981. She was an integral part of the sports medicine team at Vero Beach High School for 35 years. Barbara completed the reserve police academy training, and served with the Vero Beach Police Department from 1982-1989. Her volunteer involvement in the community includes serving on the City of Vero Beach Recreation Committee, Arthritis Association of Indian River County, and the Senior Good Life Games. She and her husband, Michael, enjoy spending their free time traveling in their RV and training their Labradors, Gunner and Chase, in K-9 performance events, including agility and dock jumping. Barbara is a lifelong resident of Indian River County, and received her degree in physical therapy from Chattanooga State College. Barbara was elected to the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees in 2016, and joined the Board in January 2017.

Term:  1/17-12/20   |   1/21-12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC | Elected 1 OC

Occupation: Physical Therapist

MICHAEL KINT

SEAT 2

Born and raised in Illinois, Michael was a Theatre and Speech Instructor at Lincoln College when he moved to Indian River County in 1984. He was the Director of Education for the Riverside Theatre for a decade, helping to build the Riverside Children’s Theatre and directing many productions. Michael is well known in the community for his 25 years of service at the United Way of Indian River County, 16 of those years as the CEO. He is very proud of his work with dozens of nonprofit agencies and his commitment to creating and strengthening community collaboratives. Michael was also an Adjunct Faculty member at Barry University for 20 years. He has served on many boards and committees over the years, including: Children’s Services Advisory Committee Needs Assessment, Chair of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for many years, and he was a founding member of the Mental Health Collaborative, the Senior Collaborative of IRC and the IRC Executive Roundtable. As a Hospital District Trustee he is committed to serving all the citizens of our county. In particular, he hopes to see enhanced availability and affordability for behavioral/mental health for all in need.

 

Term: 1/23- 12/26

Origination: Elected 1 OC

Occupation: Retired CEO United Way

MARYBETH CUNNINGHAM

CHAIRWOMAN - SEAT 1

Marybeth’s professional career encompasses 34 years of working for GM/Delphi in a variety of positions. Starting out as a traffic claims clerk, she worked her way through the organization, with roles in Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality and Reliability. She retired in 2009 as the executive director of Global Operations for the Packard Electric Division of Delphi. In this position, she was responsible for 94 plants in 33 countries. Marybeth has served on the board of directors for numerous non-profits, including Northeast Ohio Adoption Agency; United Way of Warren Ohio, where she served as chairman of the annual campaign for two years; Up with People; Head, Heart and Hands of Indian River Club; Indian River Community Foundation, and the Indian River Mental Health Collaborative. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Albion College. Marybeth was elected to the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees in 2014, and joined the Board in January 2015. She currently serves as Chair.

 

Term:  1/15-12/18   |   1/19-12/22   |   1/23- 12/24

Origination: Elected 1 OC | Elected  NOC | Elected NOC

Occupation: Retired Executive GM