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Show HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH Vol 84 November 17, 1999 50 cents No 6 SINCE 1915 Commissioners want voter approval to build health facility in Blanding by Anna Adair Commissioner Bill Redd urged the citizens of Blanding to stand up and make their feelings known. Redd expressed his feelings to San Juan Health Care Service District Director Cleal Bradford during the November 15 San Juan County Commission. The Health Care District approached the commission with several items to address, including a request to grant $1.2 million to build a replacement clinic in Blanding. While not ruling out a direct action, Commissioners said that at this time, they would not grant the money unless tax payers replace the property tax with a sales tax. Currently, property taxes generate approximately $400,000 to $500,000 a year for the health care district. A one percent sales tax could generate up to $1.5 million a year. Commissioner Redd pointed out that the $1.2 million from the County would not be a loan, but a grant. The other portion of funding for the clinic is a $2.5 million loan from the Community Impact Board with a one percent interest rate. In the same meeting, commissioners agreed to pay $55,000 for three acres of land in Blanding on which to put the clinic. Redd supports a sales tax, saying "We are eventually going to lose the tax base in our county and it's going to be half of what it is today. If we don't believe that we are kidding ourselves about the future. Redd said that he is waiting for a reaction from Blanding residents. "I would like the people of Blanding to step up and make their decision. If they don't want a facility in Blanding, then they need to say that." He said that he is certain that given the proper information and by studying the issue in depth, Blanding residents would state their opinions. Further complicating the issue is a proposed private hospital that could be built in Blanding. Officials for the proposed Blue Mountain Medical Center are seeking financing after several years of fits and starts. Many supporters of the pro- v posed private hospital fear that the health care district is attempting to sabotage the project by building a new clinic. Health District officials say that they simply are continuing to move forward on a project that has been in progress for several years. The district has secured a $2.5 million loan from the Community Impact Board to build the fa cility. The CIB granted the loan in 1998, after investors for the proposed private facility failed to meet a funding deadline. County officials hint that it is supporters ofBlue Mountain Medical Center that are trying to sabotage the county facility. that the hospital is now in compliance with codes that once threatened to jeopardize MedicareMedicaid funding. Bradford reported that the hospital is considering a license as a Critical Access Hospital, which could result in more favorable reimbursement for Medicare patients. Bradford said that Medicare pays dramatically less, under the current payment system, than they are billed. To illustrate, he presented a Medicare claim with a bill of $750, of which Medicare paid $154.54. Bradford addressed the issue of medication disbursed at the Monument Valley Clinic Commissioners said that the County is required by law to provide health care, creating automatic competition for any private entity that comes into the county. Taxpayers will still pay for the health care district, use district whether they facilities or a private facility. "People need to step up and bite the bullet," said Redd. "If which is not being reimbursed. you don't have the tax money He pointed out that the conand the medical system isn't tract with Indian Health Sermaking money to cover it's vices does not allow for costs, it is my opinion that a reimbursement of prescripjudge isn't going to close down tions and that when the conthe health care system. He tract expires in February, 2000 will levy a tax system against the new contract will include property owners to pay the bad prescription reimbursement debt and keep the system run- and the problem will rectify ning." Commissioner Ty Lewis itself. The arrival of Dr. Nelson, a agreed that in the end it would to the surgeon, bodes well for the disultimately come back tax payer in the form of a tax trict. From July to October 1998, there were 70 surgeries levy. Bradford said it is not cerand a patient census of 354. tain that the board would ask For the same period in 1999, for the full one percent sales surgeries almost doubled to tax. Redd urged the Board to 133 and the patient census was 625. take the entire one percent. Bradford also discussed the "The City of Blanding sent a in letter saying, my opinion, pending spinoff of the Montethat they don't want County zuma Creek Clinic. A local health care. I don't think that group is set to take control of the City Council represents the clinic on January 1, 2000. the City of Blanding and I Bradford said that it is somewould like to see the people of thing that the community " Blanding have a voice, said wants and the board agreed. He added that it should save Commissioner Redd. to In addition a letter sent the taxpayers money. A number of questions were the by Blanding City Council to the Health Care District, asked by Council members the city sent a newsletter to and city residents. CouncilBlanding residents. The man John Black asked about Health Care District contends a CT scanner. Bradford said that the letter has several that the cost is high and operstatements that are incorrect. ating expertise is a problem. According to the letter, the Shirley Christensen asked if current property tax rate is the $2.5 million from the CIB 0.001054 and would increase could be used for equipment. to 0.001440. In fact, the actual Bradford said that a CT scantax is 0.001011 and the in- ner is approximately $750,000 crease would be 0.001400. and would require a new fundWhile Health District offi- ing application to the CIB. cials said that these are small Councilman Clyde Christenmistakes, they wonder how sen asked if any of the promuch other information being posed sales tax revenue would handed out to Blanding resi- go to building the new facility dents by the City is also inac- in Blanding. Bradford stated curate. it would not. The Heath Care battle in the Councilman Black asked if county does not end there. At the building would be held up the November 10 Monticello by the vote on the sales tax isCity Council meeting, Brad- sue, to which Bradford said ford was on hand to discuss the that decision is up to the Comhealth care situation in the missioners. Councilman Black voiced county. Bradford told the council he fear that a private facility in hopes people will look more at Blanding would strip the the positive side of health care Health District of money-makin- g and not focus so much on negaprocedures and leave only tive issues. Bradford reports those that are mandatory. "If , we don't do something, it will weaken the whole system," said Black. Kenny Nielson was angry over an incident with Bradford in which he brought up the pharmaceutical problem in Monument Valley and was told it was none of his business. Bradford said he was under the impression the problem had been fixed until Nielson brought it to his attention that things were not working properly. Bradford said he thought that Nielson was billing for the drugs, which Nielsen says he never agreed to do. Bradford said that at the December 7 budget hearing, he would have more information on the amount of money needed from a tax increase to operate the health care David Robinson said that during the meeting, Bradford had done nothing but "sidestep the issues" and gave no "truth" in answering questions. Mayor Dale Black asked community members present to take the remainder of the comments to the Health Care Board meeting. Board mem- ber Karen Adams pointed out that there was nothing brought out to the City Council that had not already been addressed in a Health Care Board meeting. Adams commented on the negative feelings toward the district, stating, "With Cleal, there is no question that he is giving us the facts. It is so popular right now to rag on the Health Care District, but it is improving under Cleal." Monticello asks for cooperation with mailed recreation survey The City of Monticello is seeking information from dents on their opinions on rec- resi- reational needs within the community. Approximately 25 percent of Monticello households will be receiving a Recreation Survey in coming days as a part of the recreation master plan that will include the development of the 120 acre uranium millsite. e The survey, which residents are asked to fill out by both an adult and a youth, two-pag- asks a number of strategic questions regarding public recreation facilities in Monticello. It is part of the planning and feasibility process to address the expansion of its public golf facilities. In addition to meetings in a public forum, results of this survey will be used to assist planners in determining what types of recreation needs we should plan for, both now and in the future. Because only a random selection of households will be provided with the survey, organizers ask for your cooperation to complete and mail the completed questionnaire in the envelopes provided by November 22. Golf Group, LTD is developing the proposed golf course. The Golf Group contract has expanded to include a recre- ation study and conceptual master plan. Section I of the survey is to be completed an adult member of the household, asking questions on how you describe public recreational facilities, what needs are, where planning should focus. A list of 17 possible facilities that could be included in the master plan is given and respondents are asked to rank the facilities in order of preference. The list includes hiking, equestrian, snowmobile, cross country ski and moun- tain biking trails, an eques- trian center, softballbaseball complex, picnic areas, playgrounds, snow play area, small ski or snowboard area, community hall, open play fields, youth golf learning facilities, motocross course, fly fishing, fishing pond, and skateboard park. The short turnaround time is necessary because the City would like to begin work on remediation of the 120 acres of millsite property and any golf course expansion by spring. The San Juan Record takes A CLOSER LOOK at a possible new National Monument in the neighborhood See page 6 |