By Becky Brewster
The Culberson County Hospital District met in Regular Session last week. The primary focus of the meeting was a lengthy work-session to begin an update to the District’s Capital Improvements Plan. The original plan was adopted in 2013 and identified the major facility and equipment needs for the District. At that time, the District had determined that a new clinic and a new ambulance were the immediate priorities. At the end of the first five years, the District and Preferred have spent over $3 million to include the new clinic, 2 ambulances, a new CT machine, various other equipment, and new furnishings and equipment for the clinic. Preferred has also implemented a telemedicine program for the emergency room.
Although tremendous progress has been made over the last five years, the District still has many other needs. Construction needs include the completion of the clinic façade, parking, landscaping, an ambulance garage/EMS facility, fencing, and helipad. The District also needs to budget for routine ambulance replacement and maintenance needs. Also on the wish list are upgrades to the furniture and equipment. A major part of the process is to determine the source of funding to accomplish the goals. The Board has been very proactive in setting aside funds to address the future needs of the District. The next step is to put a cost value on all the items and prioritize the needs to develop a plan that will encompass the next ten years. In the meantime, the District has already authorized the architect to begin the design of the façade improvements and has ordered 12 new hospital beds.
In other business, the Culberson County Hospital District:
- Approved the consent agenda.
- Authorized budgeted transfers.
