RhondaSherrod, Market CEO of Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center, reports that Health Management Associates has purchased property on Laguna Drive that is needed for a new road.

Plans to build a direct road from U.S. 90 to the Emergency Department have been on hold pending the acquisition of the property.

A home on the property will be demolished and engineers will determine what route the rest of the road will take. Much of the area is wetland.

Following the monthly meeting Monday night, the LSHA Board had a budget workshop.

The Hospital Authority is required to provide the equivalent of 1.5 mills property tax for indigent care. That covers visits to the Emergency Department, medical care for indigent who are admitted to the hospital, and indigent care at five clinics and medical offices.

The value of 1.5 mills changes every year and has been declining during the economic downturn. The estimated value is $3.3 million.

LSHA receives $479,070 a year in lease payments from Health Management Associates. Interest on fund balances is about $40,000.

The tentative budget includes $2,360,000 for hospital services, $650,000 for clinical services and $100,000 for the indigent pharmacy program.

The current millage rate is 0.962 mills and the difference is being covered with reserves.

The board will consider keeping the lower rate and making up the difference with reserve funds.

The required notice for the Truth in Millage (TRIM) was set at 1.5 mills, pending the public hearings. The board can lower that rate, but cannot go higher than the TRIM notice.

The first budget hearing is set for 5:15 p.m. on September 10, with the regular meeting following the hearing.

The final budget hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 17 at 5:15 p.m.

DeKoven (Koby) Adams, LSHA Chair, said he will miss the budget hearing on September 10 because it is his wedding anniversary.

Board member Bruce Naylor was not at the Monday afternoon meeting.