Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the
Elbert County Board of Commissioners and Elbert Memorial Hospital Authority
September 21, 2026

1. Chairman Lee Vaughn called the meeting to order.  Present were Commissioner David Hunt, Commissioner Casey Freeman, Commissioner Chris Alexander, Commissioner Mike Scoggins, Commissioner Freddie Jones, County Administrator Allen Hulme, CFO Macie Witcher, County Attorney Bill Daughtry, County Clerk Tamara Butler, Members of the Hospital Authority, media, guest

2. After the pledge to the United States flag the invocation was given by Mr. Kam McClary

3. Mr. Tyler Taylor, EMH CEO, started with a presentation from the authority where they presented their PLAN (“Protect Essential Services, “Lead Through Challenges”, “Align resources and Priorities”, “Navigate Toward Tomorrow”). He talked about the hospital’s challenges, mainly indigent care cost. He also talked about the Hartwell clinic which is a major point of contention. The Commissioners and the public have questioned their reasoning for opening that clinic. Mr. Taylor said Hartwell is a growing community and they wanted to provide health care to that community in hopes of it generating referrals to EMH.  He said that clinic has received the “rural health designation” which will increase reimbursements. Leanne Layne, Hospital Authority Chairperson, said they have heard the Board’s concerns and said there have been changes, such as eliminating the COO position. She also suggested finding a liaison that could communicate between the Board and the Hospital Authority, someone that could understand the numbers and to make sure all questions are answered between the two. During the public comments, several people spoke in support of the hospital and does not want it to close saying it would be devastating to our community. Some people agreed that they do not want it to close, but there has to be a better solution than to burden the taxpayers. Commissioner Scoggins expressed his concern that if the hospital was given the requested $250,000; would they come back in January asking for more.  Chairman Vaughn asked the commissioners what they wanted the next steps to be; Commissioner Jones suggested having a called meeting before the October meeting. He stated he felt it was important to do what we can to save the hospital.

Commissioner Alexander made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Commissioner Scoggins. The motion passed unanimously.