Maverick County Hospital District Board to have two positions up for election in November
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Maverick County Hospital District (MCHD) Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at the Second Floor Conference Room located at 3406 Bob Rogers Drive, Eagle Pass, Texas, addressing the contracting of Maverick County for its two Board of Directors positions which are up for election in the November 4, 2014 General Election and other important issues.
The MCHD Board approved to contract Maverick County for election services provided by Maverick County Election Administrator, Roy Schmerber, for the Maverick County Hospital District 2014 Board of Directors Election which has two Board positions for election at the November 4th Texas General Election. MCHD Vice-President and Maverick County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez and Board member Joaquin L. Rodriguez’s seats are scheduled for election in November 2014. MCHD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Terri Contreras recommended to the Board that they hire Maverick County to administer its Board of Directors election scheduled for November 4th.
Board member Ricardo E. Calderon motioned to contract the services of Maverick County to administer the MCHD’s two board positions election during the November 4th Texas General Election, saving the local hospital district monies holding a joint election rather than its own election. MCHD Vice-President and Maverick County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez seconded the motion. After discussion, the Board unanimously approved the motion with Calderon, Valdez, and Board President Juan Manuel “Chuco” Farias in favor. Absent at the Board meeting were Board members Humberto Duran and Joaquin L. Rodriguez. Interestingly, Maverick County Treasurer and MCHD Board member Rito J. Valdez did not recuse himself and abstained from voting to contracting Maverick County to administer the hospital district’s election while serving as a public official of both governmental entities.
The MCHD Board also approved to become the Host Facility provider for the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas based in San Antonio, Texas. The MCHD will provide clinical office space for the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas, which collaborates with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Department of Neurology to provide comprehensive neurological services to Maverick County patients free of charge. Board member Calderon motioned for the MCHD become the Host Facility provider for the Epilepsy Foundation and Board Vice-President Valdez seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with Calderon, Valdez, and Farias in favor.
CEO Terri Contreras and Breast and Cervical Cancer Services Director Mary Hughes updated the Board on taking corrective action to the Texas Department of State Health Services On-Site Evaluation deficiency concerning one staff person not having taken a Tuberculosis vaccination.
The MCHD Board unanimously approved the Maverick County Appraisal District’s proposed Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Budget and the MCHD’s share of the cost of said budget. Board member Calderon motioned to approve and Valdez seconded it with Farias voting in favor too.
The MCHD Board went into Executive Session agenda items and upon returning to Open Session approved several items, including the publication of Request for Bids for the 744 South Bibb Avenue real property in newspapers with a deadline to submit on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at 12 Noon and the holding of a special Board meeting on the same date and time to open and take into consideration any bid received for said property. Board member Calderon motioned and President Farias seconded the motion with Valdez joining them in favor.
The MCHD Board also approved to publish request for proposals for General Counsel/Legal Services with Board member Calderon making the motion and seconded by Valdez. Calderon and Valdez approved the motion while President Farias voted against it.
The MCHD Board also approved to renew the employment contracts of two physicians with Board member Calderon making the motion and Valdez seconding the motion and President Farias joined them in favor.
The MCHD Board approved CEO Terri Contreras’ employment contract pursuant to the terms of the May 2014 Board meeting hiring Contreras with Calderon making the motion and President Farias seconding the motion and Valdez joined them in favor.
During the presentation of the monthly financial reports, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Nestor Bonilla advised the Board that the MCHD for the month of May 2014 had a gain of Revenues over Expenses of $2,818 and Excess of Revenues over Expenses for year to date of $1.18 Million for the first nine months into the fiscal year. Board member Calderon noted that the positive numbers are as a result of $922,177 in funds contributed to the budget year to date from the MCHD’s reserves.
During the Administrator’s Report, Board member Calderon raised the issue that at the April 30, 2014 Board meeting, the Board had approved to retain legal counsel and financial advisors to review the MCHD’s contract with Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center to analyze the local hospital district’s options but that the minutes of the April 30th Board meeting did not reflect the Board’s decision to undertake such action and nothing has been done to date to retain these professional services. Board President Farias requested that this item be placed at the next regular meeting of the Board. General Counsel Celeste Lira noted this item was not on the agenda. Calderon pointed out that the minutes of the April 30th Board meeting which were approved by the Board at the May 28th meeting did not reflect the Board’s decision taken April 30th and just wanted to bring it to the attention of the President and the Board.
Board member Calderon also raised concerns regarding the MCHD’s Board lack of approving the Ryan White HIV Program contracts with Bexar County Commissioners Court as well as any Memorandum of Understandings between the Ryan White HIV Program and other local governmental entities. Calderon noted that the local school district, county, and city regularly approve said Memorandum of Understandings at their Board meetings. Calderon noted that how is it possible for Maverick County taxpayers have to front almost half a million dollars ($500,000) to operate the nine county Ryan White Program and seek reimbursement for these services from Bexar County and approve the Ryan White HIV Program Budget as part of the MCHD’s annual fiscal year budget without formal Board of Directors approval. Calderon noted that Bexar County Commissioners Court annually approves its Ryan White Program contracts with MCHD but the MCHD does not do the same. Calderon stated that he supports the Ryan White HIV Program but just wants the MCHD Board to approve it to legalize its relationship with Bexar County Commissioners Court.
