Commission talks finances and fishes

WORLAND – Washakie County commissioners met Tuesday for a full schedule of department reports, ahead of a special tax meeting in the evening. Of noted importance was a budget correction by Banner Health for the construction of the new Washakie Medical Center.

As presented by Banner Health Washakie Medical Center CEO Jay Stallings, the August estimated balance for the project was $170,610, however an accounting error of $233,000 with contractor Layton resulted in a subtraction of $129, 349.45, for an actual balance of $41,260.55.

Acknowledging the discrepancy, Layton gave Banner Health a credit of $92,066, bringing the balance back up to $133,326.55. However, after expenditures for the month, the overall balance for the project ended up being $6,457.01.

Stallings pointed out that it could be three to six months before the final invoices were totaled, but “we will not be coming back to the county for any more money.”

Banner Health also noted that they will be holding $50,000 from Layton after some floor buckling in the Operating Suite, resulting in all of the flooring in both operating rooms and the pre-op areas needing replaced.

Washakie Medical Center broke ground on the $23.4 million construction project June 16, 2015. Additions to the hospital include: a new patient wing with 12 patient rooms and 16 beds, plus two labor and delivery rooms dedicated to obstetrics. Rooms are larger with some accommodating double occupancy based on demand to provide a total of 18 licensed beds; a new surgical suite with two large, state-of-the-art operating rooms and one endoscopy suite; new pre-operative and post-operative recovery areas; renovations to accommodate a new emergency department; expanded, new laboratory and pharmacy; new respiratory therapy, chemotherapy and endoscopy areas and a renovated front entry with impacts to the admitting, business office, waiting room and gift shop.

In other business, Sam Hochhalter with the Cody Regional Office for Game and Fish announced that there will be a public meeting on Jan. 25 regarding cutthroat trout reintroduction to the area. The meeting will be held at the Washakie County Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. and will seek public input to “better balance the public’s interests with the need to secure cutthroat trout in the region for future generations.” For more information see the story on B4.

During department reports, Stuart Bower with Road and Bridge reported that employee evaluations had been completed and turned in, with no major issues to report.

David Anderson, county planner, recommended the county remove subdivision status for the Little Gooseberry subdivision, after the owner vacated two lots on Jan. 8. The commission agreed and voted to vacate.

Amanda Heinemeyer with Public Health reported that the county is currently out of flu vaccinations, while restock has been ordered, and flu-related illness is reportedly at an all-time high.

More from the commissioners meeting will be reported in Thursday’s Northern Wyoming Daily News.