BAMBERG, S.C. – An intergovernmental agreement that includes the proposed development of a regional health care center was approved by Bamberg County Council Monday.

Council Chairman Clair Guess said nothing “official” had come from Allendale County regarding its participation; however, Bamberg and Barnwell counties have signed on to explore creation of a regional health facility. The councils and hospital boards from each county have asked Stroudwater Capital, an independent adviser, to meet directly with and listen to ideas of residents and health professionals.

“There are no ... issues of location at this point and time. There are no issues of fee sharing. There are no issues of any sort whatever other than to reach a very similar agreement with Barnwell County so that we share a consultant ... with the common goal of trying to determine if there isn’t a good reason to pursue a more mutually beneficial health care system through the design of a regional hospital center that both counties would share without the detriment (to) any of the services that are offered,” Guess said.

In addition to possibly Allendale, the two counties may look at other counties, he said.

“The reality of the market place ... has changed so dramatically over the years that in order to provide the highest quality as far as medical care to our citizens and citizens in this area, it’s most likely going to have to involve a larger population than Bamberg County has unto itself,” Guess said.

The agreement was approved with the stipulation by Councilman Chris Wilson that Bamberg County Attorney Richard Ness review and approve the it.

Lou-Ann P. Carter, chairperson of the Bamberg County Hospital Board, said the agreement would help maximize the hospital’s capacity and increase services to Bamberg County.

“I want to say thanks,” Carter said.

Bamberg County Hospital CEO Roy Vinson said John Peel of Stroudwater Capital will be in Bamberg County on Oct. 20-22 to meet with community members who would like to have input on the “future vision of the health care system in the Lowcountry.”

Also during Monday’s meeting, Vinson delivered the August financial report for the hospital. He said patient volume was flat compared to July, with approximately 13 patients a day. Surgical volume for August was slightly up from July – from 295 to 299. While net revenue was also up by $4,000 from July, the expenses for August were $36,000 more than the previous month, he said. Vinson said the month’s expenses included $19,000 in salaries and $12,000 in supplies. He said interest, rental equipment and utility costs totaled $8,000.

“However, for the hospital only, the year-to-date expenses are down $2.6 million over prior year-to-date. The net income for August was a negative $22,000,” Vinson said. “For the 11 months through the end of August, the net income was $432,000. For the prior year-to-date August, it was a negative $1.6 million. So the change there is an improvement of $2.1 million.”

In other business, Administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott reported that more than $200,000 in federal grants were secured by County Fire Coordinator Brenna Hancock for county fire departments. The Colston Fire Department received a $21,000 grant to purchase 10 sets of complete protection gear, she said. The Olar Fire Department received a $209,000 grant to construct a new fire station.

Also Monday, council:

* Approved adoption of a regional solid waste management plan prepared by Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority. TRSWA General Manager Colin Covington noted, “Our region desires to limit the disposal of municipal solid waste to no more than one landfill with an annual tonnage limitation of 500,000 tons. That’s the Three Rivers Regional Landfill.”

“Our recommendations for planning are to reduce, reuse, recycle and utilize energy recovery to reduce the transportation and disposal cost to the county,” he added. “You also reduce greenhouse emissions by diverting materials to your landfill, keeping it local. We encourage the county to share resources, particularly collection and hauling.”

Covington said the TRSWA is currently “on a two-year plan” to build a Materials Recovery Facility at the regional landfill.

* Appointed Alberta Richburg as a representative from District 2 to the Bamberg County Library Board.

* Heard finance director T.M. Thomas report the county’s expenses for its 2009-2010 budget are “on line” outside of the unforeseen expense of approximately $5,800 to replace a hydraulic pump for the oldest motor grader. “Since completing our first full quarter at the end of September, the year-to-date expenditure percentage is at 22 percent of the total budget, leaving us with a remaining balance of about $5.8 million,” Thomas said.

* Gave second-reading approval to an ordinance amending the county’s personnel policy to include an acceptable-use policy for the Internet. Dobson-Elliott said the policy has to be adopted before the county can move forward with its plan to assign all employees with a bambergcountysc.gov e-mail address.

* Voted to spend approximately $6,000 on a structural engineering study by Charleston-based Liollio Architectural Firm on the county courthouse, where a structural crack needs to be repaired. “I think before we’ve had a chance to have Liollio in front of us to find out what all we’re looking at, this may be the cart before the horse,” Guess said, voting against the study.

* Approved a proclamation recognizing the 101st birthday of county resident Retha B. Green.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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