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Thursday, 19 October 2006 06:36 |
Council members Monday evening deferred any action on the city judge position, needing more time to negotiate a salary with the Justice of the Peace.
To date one person has written a letter of interest for the vacant position, due to Judge Shannen Rossmillers’ resignation.
Mayor John Shevlin put out some facts for council members, noting the present salary is $22,232.44 with supplies budgeted at $97.19 and travel expenses of $1,328.28.
Incoming revenue is $21,631.10. However, it needs to be noted that the position is not meant to generate revenue. The judge works two days a week and processed 602 cases last year.
The mayor noted that some advantages to negotiating a contract with the JP would be that prisoners would not have to be transported to city hall. Violators would appear at the courthouse, not city hall.
The city could also negotiate a contract to the end of the Fiscal Year, which would give them the chance to analyze the court and see if they want to continue with the JP court or go back to the city judge program. A decision will be made at the next council meeting.
On the matter of several requests by the management company of Blue Sky Villa, the council took action.
Concerning the removal of privacy wood wind breaks at the residents, Alderman Wendy Judisch commented, “I would like to see the wind breaks replaced as needed. I want it to remain in its present condition. Councilman Sandy Syvertson agreed with her. The mayor noted that the Horizon Lodge should replace them as they take them down, “it’s their responsibility to maintain them.” A motion passed to allow wind breaks to be replaced.
On the topic of the cedar fence by the 300 building, Councilman Gary Brown said the fence didn’t seem to serve any purpose. He made a motion to have the fence removed and it passed.
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Read more... [No council action on city judge position]
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Thursday, 19 October 2006 06:34 |
Pondera County Attorney Mary Ann Ries was the featured speaker at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, speaking about individuals who write bad checks.
She provided information to the business people, noting there have been some new changes in policy that will hopefully reduce the number of bad checks and forgeries in the county.
“Writing a bad check is a crime,” she said, going on to note, “Because a person who writes a bad check can be prosecuted, it is necessary for our office to have all the facts about the check writer, the person who took the check and the information about the check.”
She stressed that the above information was vital. Without it the County Attorney cannot obtain an arrest warrant or prove the crime.
For the prevention of taking in a bad check and your protection, the following information was given:
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Read more... [Ries cautions CofC about bad checks]
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Thursday, 12 October 2006 05:25 |
In the same boat as other rural hospitals, the Pondera Medical Center is experiencing a disturbing trend; lower admissions, which means lower revenues.
Jim Christensen, CEO/PMC, says “I am of the opinion that we are now seeing a trend, or at least a well-defined one year cycle, of reduced patient utilization at the PMC.”
And recent hospital statistical reports seem to bear that out. During the same period last year for example, the net gain for the PMC was $154,688. For the year to date, 2006, the net loss is $479,432.
With four physicians, Doctors Shawn Nesbo, Jenifer Dodge, Peter Barran and Jay Taylor, the PMC is doctor rich and patient poor.
While the clinic is posting positive numbers, nearly all the other departments (X-ray, lab, RT, OT, PT, surgery, cardiac rehab, and home health) are either well below average or well below budgeted numbers for the year to date.
The Extended Care Unit, usually at 97 to 100 percent occupancy in the past has dropped to a fluctuating 89-92 percent. Currently there are 53 residents in the ECU, with 59 beds available.
Christensen notes the industry as a whole has seen continuously decreasing numbers of inpatients and volume. “As with everything, the rural areas tend to be the very last to see the full impact of these trends. While the PMC is seeing fewer patients (in-patients) our urban friends (Benefis-Great Falls) are seeing the start of the next piloted trend, the baby boomer onslaught, where they are finding a difficult time meeting the needs of increased use and demand.”
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Read more... [Doctor rich, patient poor, PMC dilemma]
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