KINGMAN, Ariz. – On Tuesday, July 14, the Hospital District Board met and learned they will not be able to get the credit cards they want.
Board attorney Tom Price, put a damper on the Board’s quest for credit. He advised them that Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 48-915A uses language that “monies received for a hospital district from any source shall be deposited with the County Treasurer of the organizing county to the credit of the hospital district and paid out only on warrants approved by the board of directors of the district.”
“The bottom line is you cannot be using a credit card,” Price stated.
Director Marsh stated the government departments of both Google and Microsoft Teams will not accept any type of government check anymore due to fraud purposes.
“They require electronic payment via Visa, Master(card), American Express or wire transfer,” said Marsh. “So, to secure our technology, you have to come up with a workaround.
The Board pays the AHCCCS IGAs via wire transfers.
“Let’s do this, if you don’t mind, I will reach out to the Deputy County Attorney,” said Price. “I’ll get an email out to our district assistant, and then she, in turn, can copy you individually.”
The Board discussed various invoices that were paid by according to the policy that was instituted at the August 2 meeting. The Chairman asked if anybody had questions but did not call for a vote to ratify the payments.
“So, a copy of invoices in respect to the ones that have been forwarded to the KRMC Finance Department for budget reconciliation and to the Mohave County Treasurer’s Office for fraud protection,” said Chairman Tacheron.
The Board has a checking account at Wells Fargo Bank, so it is unclear how warrants are issued for the checks that are written.
Barry Moore, of KHI/KRMC, who is the accountant for the Board, provided various reports and explained them for the Board.
The March balance sheet had been kept under wraps until Tuesday’s meeting in spite of a public records request filed in April. Moore combined March, April, and May balance sheets.
The March 31 balance sheet reflects a $339,926 negative year-to-date balance. It is important to note that the Treasurer’s Report shows a $1,103,952 negative balance on May 7.
The bulk of the expenditures were for the IGAs (Intergovernmental Agreements) with AHCCCS.
According to the Treasurer’s report expenditures for the APSI (Access to Professional Services Initiative) was $412,880; on May 1 the GME (General Medical Education) IGA was $1,687,795.40 on May 27. The hospital lease remains at $100,000 per month and a new lease has not been unveiled.
Discussion ensued regarding increased costs for the Google telephones because they did not qualify for a discount; and the proposed lease with Mohave County for office space ($22,425 per month).
Director Leanne Smith stated she was uncomfortable discussing more expenses before they talk about income. “Okay, I’m a little confused … we have a budget but have we done anything as far as our income regarding increasing our expenses? I haven’t seen anything increase in our income,” she stated.
Tacheron stated they will get into that in the new lease. Smith stated that it would make sense to talk about the lease first before talking about committing to expenses.
The Board voted to defer talking about fixed costs and recurring monthly costs until a lease agreement is signed with KHI/KRMC.
Becky Foster
