Atlas Twp.-The Genesee County Board of Commissioners voted 7-2 on Tuesday to place a 0.9 countywide millage for Hurley Medical Center on the Aug. 4 ballot.
Voting ‘yes? were Commissioners Omar Sims, Brenda Clack, Jamie Curtis, John Northrup, Pat Lockwood, Archie Bailey and Patrick Gleason. Ted Henry along with Commissioner Miles Gadola voted ‘no.?
Township Clerk Tere Onica said there are about 5,500 registered voters in five precincts in the township that will decide on the millage this summer.
Onica said the election will cost the township about $4,500. The .9 mills will add about $90 in taxes on a $200,000 home and would generate $10 million per year for the next 10 years.
‘Another comparison is the township’s current operating millage is only .7 mills’that’s for general operating expenses. The Hurley millage would be greater than that by .2 of a mill.?
Patrick Wardell, president and chief executive officer of Hurley Medical Center, said the timing is critical.
‘The severe downturn in the auto industry and the domino effect that it has created is dramatically increasing the volume of safety net patients we serve. The people in our community are facing unprecedented economic challenges. Residents have counted on Hurley Medical Center for more than 100 years, and they need us now, more than ever.?
Wardell added the millage is necessary to strengthen critical safety net services including the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, burn unit, Level III Neonatal ICU and Children’s Hospital, and to serve the growing number of underinsured and uninsured patients. In addition, community services including diabetes education, pediatric obesity, pregnancy health, stroke awareness, chronic respiratory illness and injury prevention will be supported.
Miles Gadola, Genesee County commissioner representing the people of the 5th County Commission District, which includes Atlas Township, is uncomfortable with the millage for several key reasons.
‘The millage will be the only issue on the ballot,? said Gadola.
‘Many communities have been impacted by a 2 percent cut in revenue sharing from Granholm’s recent executive order. Now we are asking these communities, like Atlas Township, to shell out about $5,000 for an election? It’s a double hit to many shaky budgets. I hope no one loses a job over this.?
‘In contrast, Flint is holding a contested mayoral election on that same date. Those candidates are going to be very vocal to support the Hurley millage. For that matter, the turnout will be greater in the city.?
Gadola said the Hurley officials claim that of the 71,000 patients that went to the hospital in 2008, 50,000 are City of Flint residents’with the balance in the out-county area.
‘It’s a stretch that Hurley should be called a county hospital when it’s on the City of Flint charter. Consider too, that 15 of the Hurley board of managers are appointed by the Flint City Council.?
‘If this is passed, Hurley will receive $100 million over the next 10 years, with $86 million coming from the out county area.?
Gadola is not opposed to placing the issue on the ballot. However, he believes the vote should be moved to the 2010 gubernatorial election, when voter turnout is greater.
Mike Tripp, Goodrich School Board president, Grand Blanc Township resident and director of internal audit at Hurley Medical Center for the past 17 years, said the services provided are critical to all residents.
‘Just because we are 15 miles away from (in the Atlas Township area) Hurley does not mean we’re exempt from needing the services,? he said. ‘For that matter, it does not matter if you live out in the rural areas or downtown and find it difficult to pay for services’Hurley is there. The large number of uncompensated patients is not just downtown ‘they are from all over the county.?