Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the
Elbert County Board of Commissioners and Elbert Memorial Hospital Authority
September 30, 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. Daughtry.

3. Adoption of the Agenda. Commissioner Freeman made a motion to adopt the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Hunt. The motion passed 5-0.

4. Public Comments.  Several people voiced their concerns about hospital operations and said the burden should not be on the taxpayers. Some spoke in favor of the hospital and stated what would the impact be if we didn’t have a hospital here. The hospital has over 200 employees with an annual payroll of $11 million that goes back into the county. Mr. Max Black said that Georgia law allows counties to support public health, indigent care and hospital services.

5. Discussion of hospital operations between the Elbert County Board of Commissioners and the Elbert Memorial Hospital Authority and consideration of a request from Elbert Memorial Hospital for $250,000 in funding to support hospital operations through the remainder of this calendar year. Commissioner Freeman asked Mr. Timothy Wren, CFO of Elbert Memorial Hospital, if the $250,000 was granted what happens next. What is the plan? Mr. Wren stated that most likely they would have to come back year after year because of the funding of indigent care. He said that everyday they look at ways to reduce cost without cutting into essential services. When asked if they would consider closing the Hartwell Clinic in 2027 if it is not making a profit, Mr. Taylor responded that you have to give a service a chance and 18 months is not long enough. He also said they need these funds to maintain the services that are important to the community. He said that indigent care is expected to increase yearly but, we can’t make irrational decisions that we may regret 6 months to a year from now. He said if they get the funding, they will provide the data and sit down with the board to see if any services could be cut, staffing, benefits, etc. He said the hospital it not like any other business, it is complicated.

Commissioner Hunt asked Mr. Taylor if the hospital was in such dire need, why did he accept the pay raise that was offered. He responded that he had a contract and he would defer that to the authority. Ms. Leanne Layne stated the goal for the authority was to put the best pieces in place to provide for the wellness of the community. Commissioner Scoggins asked Mr. Taylor if the Board approved the funding requested then they would be given a plan by the hospital, but if they did not approve the funding then they would not get a plan; which Mr. Taylor replied, that was correct. Commissioner Alexander stated the law says that counties can support public health, but is not required to. He said that in the past, the board has given millions of dollars to the hospital. He said that $250,000 is only the beginning; that it could possibly take $2 million yearly to support the hospital.  He said that everyone is struggling and it is hard to make the decision to force everyone to pay. He said that every member of the board does not want to see the hospital close, but they need to see what the hospital can do for themselves. Commissioner Jones asked if there were other ways for the hospital to make money, possibly community care for veterans. Mr. Daughtry announced that Commissioner Hunt has a conflict of interest in voting on this matter. Commissioner Hunt has a family member who is a hospital employee in the position of some authority and reports directly to Mr. Taylor, therefore, he will not be voting in this matter.

Chairman Vaughn asked for a motion to approve the request for $250,000 in funding for Elbert Memorial Hospital.  No motion was made, therefore, the motion died.

Adjourn. Commissioner Alexaner made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Freeman. The motion passed unanimously.