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Bennett County approves most claims but holds Berndt County Hospital bill for review
Summary
The commission voted to pay claims at its Jan. 8 meeting but voted to hold the Berndt County Hospital claim while staff and commissioners check itemized charges and potential restitution.
Bennett County commissioners voted Jan. 8, 2025 to approve payment of the county’s claims but instructed staff to withhold payment of a disputed bill from Berndt County Hospital until the county can review itemized charges.
The commission discussed emergency-room charges tied to blood-alcohol and drug-screen draws. Commissioners said the hospital had submitted a large aggregate amount that may include items dating to 2024; county staff and the clerk were asked to obtain itemized invoices and to verify whether some charges are recoverable as restitution from patients.
Why it matters: Commissioners and clerks noted that some blood-alcohol and related emergency-room charges are expected to be repaid by the individuals involved and that accurate itemization is required so the county can determine whether prior months’ charges were already paid or should be charged to the county’s 2024 accounts.
Motion and outcome: A commissioner moved that the county pay claims but hold the Berndt County Hospital claim pending further review; the motion was seconded and carried, with the chair announcing “Motion carried.” The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
Clarifying details discussed in the meeting included line items described as a large hospital bill; commissioners referenced December charges and multiple-month billing. Commissioners also noted the county budget had estimated $5,000 for related charges in the current budget year and requested staff check restitution receipts from the clerk’s office.
