craigdailypress.com

Moffat County Commissioner Les Hampton is concerned that only city residents will get a say in whether to close a street to build a new hospital.

That decision could impact the future of the hospital, and in turn, county residents' tax bills.

Hampton shared his concerns with his fellow commissioners at a meeting on Monday.

The commissioners decided to request a meeting with the The Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, Craig City Council, and the city and county attorneys to hammer out an agreement on how the community should proceed on building a new hospital.

If a new hospital were built at TMH's current site, Russell Street would need to be closed. The City Council decided to let voters decide whether to close the street during November's election.

The council has not yet decided whether the ballot question would appear only on a city ballot or on county ballots as well, said Jim Ferree, Craig City Manager.

If voters decide not to close Russell Street, a new hospital might have to be built at another location.

Based on numbers from cost reports prepared by hospital consultants, TMH's board decided that it couldn't build a new hospital at any location other than the current one without a tax hike. The board is currently reassessing that decision and considering building a partial replacement hospital away from the current site.

Nevertheless, Hampton said he didn't think city residents alone should make a decision that might impact the taxes of the county.

If the question was posed on city and county ballots, the two governments could split the costs incurred by the vote, said Elaine Sullivan, Moffat County Clerk and Recorder.

Ballot question decisions need to be made by July, Sullivan said.

Hampton also said he is concerned the hospital project is moving too slowly. Interest rates are extremely low right now.

If it takes too long to make a decision, the hospital could miss out on the low rates, he said.

"Hopefully, if it were approved to close Russell Street, we could move forward immediately. And if it isn't approved, it still isn't a bad exercise," Hampton said.

The commissioners suggested a professional facilitator could conduct the meeting between the hospital, city and county.

"If we need to be locked in a room for two days to come up with answers, that's what needs to happen," Commissioner Darryl Steele said.

Hampton and Commissioner Marianna Raftopoulos also thought they could help the hospital board by sharing their experience of building the Public Safety Center.

"One of the lessons we learned from the Public Safety Center is if we have three entities sit down, it works better. We tried to do the Public Safety Center alone and it didn't work as well," Raftopoulos said.

Rob Gebhart can be reached at 824-7031 or rgebhart@craigdailypress.com.