Commissioners authorize SPLOST funds for hospital HVAC work and close small hospital trust account

Burke County commissioners approved sending SPLOST-designated funds to the hospital authority to support replacement or repair of the hospital’s emergency department HVAC system, and separately voted to close a small hospital trust account previously holding subsidy funds. Commissioners reviewed multiple vendor bids for the HVAC work; staff reported the hospital authority requested SPLOST assistance and that the bid process included an alternate scope the authority wanted included. After discussion, a commissioner moved to transfer SPLOST funds to the hospital authority for that work; another commissioner seconded the motion and the board proceeded with approval. Separately, staff reported a modest remaining balance in a hospital trust account (described in the meeting as a small amount) and requested the fund be zeroed out and the account closed. A motion to close the hospital trust account was made, seconded and approved; the board said closing the account would save monthly reconciliation. Commissioners discussed that SPLOST dollars are constrained by voter-approved purposes; staff noted the authority has discretion to use the approved SPLOST allocation for hospital improvements. Because the request exceeded $25,000, the board approved the transfer in open session.