During an Oct. 15 Houston City Council meeting, Houston, Mo.-based Texas County Memorial Hospital defended a tax proposal that would help it finish building an on-campus surgery center, Houston Herald reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Upton County, Mo., resident George Sholtz argued against the hospital's proposal to create a Community Improvement District. In a Community Improvement District, property owners voluntarily tax themselves to fund improvements within the area's boundaries.
2. The Community Improvement District near the hospital campus would temporarily create a quarter-cent sales tax for the completion of a surgery center.
3. Mr. Sholtz presented county commission documents on previous hospital tax issues and said the proposed money was part of a "shuffle game." He asked the council to reject the petition.
4. TCMH CEO Wes Murray said Mr. Sholtz' presentation contained a significant amount of misinformation.
5. Mr. Murray said the surgery center addition would contribute to TCMH's financial health and provide much-needed financing. He described a lack of funds due to higher-than-expected construction bids and explained the hospital also had to give up a grant.