A coalition of three supervisors rebuked an attempt to discuss OCH Regional Medical Center finances in executive session Monday, saying any closed-door talks outside of public purview could lead to the impression that some board members again are trying to sell or lease the hospital.
Supervisors Marvell Howard, Daniel Jackson and John Montgomery canceled talks with Raymond James financial advisors, the same firm Jackson County supervisors unanimously tapped to study Singing River Health System in November, after they were previously invited to meet with the board by District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer.
Trainer, a longtime proponent of studying OCH’s financial situation, repeatedly urged supervisors to move to executive session so board members could “have the discussions they need to,” but the trio of board members instead said any talks should happen in the open to help stave off perception issues.
Raymond James advisors also called for executive session discussions, citing “proprietary strategic processes” their firm wishes to protect from outsiders.
No actual financial conversations occurred, and supervisors apologized for wasting their time.
“I hate for this to seem so awkward … (but we) have our own feelings about the situation,” Jackson said after referencing Trainer’s continued push outside analysis. “I hate for you to have driven all this way to find this out, but I’m sure it’s not the first time.”
“We want to keep it out here at the table and let the people of this county hear what’s going on,” Montgomery added.
The financial consultants left the door open for one-on-one discussions with supervisors, but none of the board members publically agreed to the meetings.
Trainer was quick to say the discussions were not intended to signal a new push to sell the hospital, but its completion would be the first step mandated by law for a transaction to occur.
Supervisors previously estimated such a study could cost about $35,000. Raymond James is expected to earn $100,000 for its Jackson County study.
Since taking office, the current board requested proposals for such a financial study but stopped short of authorizing an analysis due to political pressure. OCH supporters came in droves to each board meeting that addressed the topic in the past years and held their own public forums to highlight how the community benefits from OCH. A grassroots process collecting signatures against a potential transaction was also begun this term to force any move to an election.
Trainer, who was always at the center of any board action or discussion involving the hospital’s future, quickly became the target of criticism from OCH supporters.
Talks about moving the hospital died once Montgomery, who previously supported a financial analysis, backed down, thereby crumbling the Trainer-led majority.
In 2013, Capella Healthcare officials re-ignited tensions after offering $45 million in upfront cash for a 50-year lease of the facility. The offer was considered moot at the time since the board had no appetite to approve a financial analysis.
Trainer routinely ties OCH’s financial health and its interaction with taxation to the county’s ability to financially support infrastructure expansion and improvement programs, education and economic development.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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