Medical Center Hospital Chief Executive Officer Bill Webster will have more power in authorizing contracts.

The Ector County Hospital District Board of Directors voted 5-1, with Abraham Torres voting against and Richard Herrera absent, to increase the CEO’s contract authorization limit from $25,000 to $50,000.

Robert Abernethy, Medical Center chief financial officer, said the increase brings the hospital more in line with other facilities. Midland Memorial Hospital has a $100,000 signature authorization, while Odessa College has a $50,000 limit.

The vote also gives the CEO authority to increase contracts up to $1 million annually by up to 10 percent.

Webster said the provision would apply mainly to purchasing agreement contracts.

Torres declined comment after the meeting.

The ProCare 501(a), which allows the hospital to hire its own physicians, also grew.

Dr. Chittur Ramanathan was hired into a family physician position at a $227,000 annual base salary. Drs. Charles Nicolette and James Sheehan were brought in as part-time radiologists at $275 per hour.

The board also approved $1.56 million toward bed replacement in three units. Pat Eaton, chair of the bed replacement committee said some beds are completely depreciated.

In other action, the board approved:

>> Stereotactic breast biopsy equipment for $208,000.

>> Patient room sleeper chairs and recliners for $182,862.

>> Two blood bank analyzers for $101,960.

>> An EKG system upgrade for $72,275.

>> $36,600 toward a unit to read bone density.

>>The hiring of Dr. Kirit Patel as cardiovascular medical director for $175 per hour, up to $40,000 a year.

>> Board and finance committee meeting dates for 2008.

>> A master copier contract agreement for $57,600 a year, which Chief Information Officer Gary Barnes said could save up to $90,000 a year.

>> A revised election contract.

>> An amendment to Family Health Clinic bylaws, which changes wording in regards to what percentage of members of the clinic’s board, shall be active users of the clinic.