Four Allen County bankers told county commissioners Tuesday morning they supported efforts for “preserving a viable and well-run hospital.”
While they are not yet aware of how financing will be arranged for whatever is done — a remodel of Allen County Hospital or construction of a new one — the bankers said they were eager to be involved, including evaluation of “proposed financing needs to determine the extent to which our organizations can provide support.”
Banks represented, all with a presence in Iola, were Community National Bank & Trust, Emprise Bank, Great Southern Bank and Citizens Bank.
The bankers said they were “willing to sign confidentiality agreements as needed to review the plan, financial analysis and projections that are necessary to conduct our underwriting. Above all we support the Commission in its initiative to make 2010 ‘The Year of the Hospital.’”
The letter was signed by Ken Gilpin and Jim Gilpin, Community National Bank; Glenn Buchholz, Emprise Bank; Montie Taylor, Great Southern Bank; and Jeff Johnson, Citizens Bank.
At the conclusion of their meeting, commissioners had consecutive 30-minute executive sessions with Charles A. Wells, president of Healthcare Financial Advisors, Inc., as well as representatives of Health Facilities Group and members of the Hospital Facilities Commission. Also sitting in on the sessions, called for attorney-client privilege, were Joyce Heismeyer, ACH chief executive officer, and County Counselor Alan Weber. No action was taken afterward.
COMMISSIONERS received three budget requests. They will start preparation of the 2011 spending document soon, with a public hearing required by mid-August.
Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging asked for $2,000 and Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center $109,200, an increase of $3,200 from this year. A District Court request was for $21,000, $475 less than this year.
Commissioners made no commitments.
