Dateline: August 2, 2007

Nursing home roof to cost more than $90k

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The Medical Center Nursing Home will get a completely new roof following action taken by the Donley County Hospital Board at its regular meeting on July 17.

Board members had been in the process of reviewing bids opened at last month’s meeting, and board chairman Alan Fletcher said the hospital district’s architect had been contacted for an opinion on the bids.

Board member Melinda McAnear read the comparisons aloud, and the board voted in favor of accepting the low bid of $90,765 from Parsley Roofing.

Administrator Vicky Robertson said Tuesday that work is scheduled to begin on the roof September 4 and should be completed in two to four weeks if weather permits.

Much of the roof is original to the building and is about 35 years old. The district had hoped its insurance would cover some of the expense, but its claims were denied even after the adjuster made a second visit to the facility.

The district will pay for the new roof with money it has in reserves.

In other hospital district news, Robertson reported that ambulance director Anna Howard has submitted a grant application to the state for $2,000 to help purchase another Striker cot. She has also applied for other funds to help with training.

Robertson also reported on the need to write off two uncollectible debts for the nursing home – one for $9,344 and another for $1,912. Robertson and board member Mark C. White will review bad debts for the ambulance service.

Holly Eads reported no new applications had been received for indigent care. Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo has contacted the district regarding two admissions that may qualify for indigent care. One recipient has qualified for SSI. Indigent care expenses totaled $612.23.

The board considered and approved budget amendments. The board also reviewed and approved employee policy changes.