Huntsville, TN (2011-06-06) With the deadline for responses to the County’s Request for Proposals to operate the Scott County Hospital looming on the horizon, the Community Development Committee reported little activity among those interested in running the facility.
Committee Chairman Paul C. Strunk informed the Community Development Committee Monday night that after an initial flurry of interest by several companies, little new information was being requested by those interested in the operating the facility. The current deadline for responses is June 24, 2011; however, Strunk said that the County may need to extend the cut-off date. “There is a chance that the County may have to exercise the provision in the RFP that would allow us to extend the deadline past June 24th,” Strunk said. County Mayor Jeff Tibbals seconded the grim outlook, but cautioned that there was still time. “We’ll know a whole lot more after the 24th,” Tibbals stated. The lull in activity may be the result of interested companies performing their due diligence and formulating their proposals, added Strunk.
During discussion, Committee member June Jeffers questioned whether other options outside of normal hospital operating companies were being explored. Jeffers noted that a group of local physicians had expressed interest in operating the facility, and questioned Mayor Tibbals about the group. “Unfortunately, due to changes in Federal law, that group could not operate the Hospital in and of themselves,” Tibbals said. Both Strunk and Tibbals assured the Committee that they had been in talks with Jack Bryan, interim CEO of St. Mary’s Medical Center of Scott County, and that Mercy Health Partners was continuing to work with the County to find a suitable operator.
In other news Monday night:
· The Building and Grounds Committee agreed to allow the construction of a loading dock and handicapped accessible ramp at the Capital Hill facility, a project that will be funded by the Morgan-Scott Project, at no cost to the County;
· The Community Development Committee agreed to provide funding for summer youth workers at the Scott County Museum, a $1,000 contribution that will be matched by the Scott County School System and other private businesses and individuals; and,
· The Intergovernmental Committee agreed to pay $5,000 to buy out the remainder of the County contract with Shafer & Shafer Welding and Supply for road sign frames and posts, as the old style frames no longer conformed to State guidelines.
All actions
taken in Committee must be ratified by the full