Ector County Judge Debi Hays on Monday questioned whether MCH and ORMC need requested county funding to help the hospitals meet escalating costs due to COVID-19.
Both hospitals in August submitted funding requests after the county received $16 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
“I’m not saying that I’m for, or against giving funds to the hospitals,” Hays said. “The hospitals have surely done much good and have been heroes (during the community’s struggle with COVID-19).
“But at some point, through the normal process, the question has to be asked, ‘how much money do you need?’”
County commissioners today will consider a proposal to solicit bids from consulting firms vying to serve as an administrator of the county’s ARPA funds.
The hired company would be responsible for vetting applications and recommending applicants for commissioners to choose from, Hays said. The selected company would also conduct financial audits to make sure the money is used correctly.
MCH has requested $7 from the county; ORMC $2.6 million.
Hays noted that both hospitals have already received millions of dollars in federal funding, and the city council recently allocated $3 million in ARPA funds to MCH and another $1 million to OMRC.
“They received a lot of money last year, and I believe they’ll be getting more money in September,” Hays said.
Several Odessa city council members in recent weeks have publicly criticized county commissioners for taking so long to consider funding requests from MCH and ORMC.
During a recent council meeting, MCH President and CEO Russell Tippin explained that the hospitals had not yet received a response by county commissioners.
“So, they’ve put their decision on hold; is COVID on hold for you?” an incensed City Councilman Steve Thompson responded. “The city keeps stepping up and doing what they should be doing. Why can’t the county?
“It’s supposed to be called the county health department, not the city health department.”
Hays explained on Monday that the county is taking their time to make sure the ARPA funds are allocated fairly and given to organizations that truly need money.
It wouldn’t be fair for the same large companies or organizations to keep getting all the money, Hays said.
“You don’t want entities that have other supplies of money to keep getting all the money,” Hays said.
The county commission will also conduct a public hearing on the county’s proposal budget for fiscal year 2021-22. Commissioners are likely to adopt the proposed budget during their meeting.
The proposed general fund operating budget is $66,615,862, with about $18.4 million in reserves.
County commissioners are also expected to vote to maintain the current property tax of .365 for fiscal year 2021-22. The decision could increase or decrease overall property tax revenues based on whether property and mineral rates are higher or lower, Hays has previously said. Many homeowners, however, have reported a higher appraisal this year.
