MONTROSE, Oct. 26 – Montrose Memorial Hospital was brought about and placed under the control of the Board of Montrose County Commissioners by the citizens of Montrose County on September 19, 1946.  Five hundred residents petitioned the County to establish and maintain a public hospital in and for Montrose County.  Below is the first sentence of the resolution from the September 19, 1946 Board of County Commissioners meeting.

“A resolution approving petitions filed with the Board of County Commissioners asking for the establishment and maintenance of a public hospital in and for Montrose County...”
As the elected governing officials of Montrose County, the Commissioners have a fiduciary duty to protect public assets, the hospital being the largest asset in the County.  Under state statute, as the elected representatives of the taxpayers, the County Commissioners have the statutory duty to:

·         Appoint the Hospital Trustees

·         Approve the Hospital Budget

·         Approve all leases and indebtedness

 

Under the proposed change by the Hospital Board, the Hospital Board would:

·         Appoint their own board

·         Approve their own budget

·         Approve all leases and indebtedness themselves

“It’s apparent the current Hospital Board is only concerned with their own self perpetuation and want to regulate themselves with no oversight from anyone.  What’s happening now between the BOCC and the Hospital Trustees is a perfect example of the need to have ongoing transparency and accountability. The Trustees completed five months of secret negotiations and the paperwork to change the hospital from a county owned public non-profit to a private, self-perpetuating nonprofit. This was never brought out at the hospital’s public meetings that we attended regularly,” said County Commissioner Ron Henderson.

The County Commissioners are also concerned that the transaction and operating lease agreement that was agreed to by the Hospital Board of Trustees on October 15th may not have been in compliance with various legal requirements, including the Hospital Transfer Act under the Colorado Statutes.

The public and the media are welcome to attend a public meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 8:30 a.m., at Friendship Hall regarding the hospital issue.  The Board of County Commissioners will state their position and listen to public input. 

*A complete copy of the September 19, 1946 BOCC minutes can be obtained from the County Administration Office for $1.25 ($0.25 per page x 5 pages). 

Please contact (970) 249-7755 if you would like a copy.