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Meeker County hospital reports strong cash position, outlines multi‑year building plan
Summary
Hospital finance staff told the Meeker County Board the facility has strong cash metrics and a $2.9M bottom line through July; hospital leaders described bids returned for a remodel/addition, an affordability study and financing options and said the project will not use county tax dollars.
Hospital leadership gave the board a financial status report and a progress update on a planned remodel and addition on Sept. 2.
"Operating, days cash on hand, is at $2.84, and then total cash on hand is $4.58," a hospital financial presenter said, describing a strong cash position and reporting a $2,900,000 bottom line through July. He said inpatient, swing‑bed and outpatient revenues were outperforming budget while overall expenses were roughly 2% over budget.
Hospital leaders noted growth in swing‑bed capacity and changes to orthopedic services after adding a shoulder specialist through St. Cloud Orthopedics. They also said CentraCare has notified the county that it will close the Eden Valley clinic, and hospital officials are exploring the possibility of assuming services there and are meeting with CentraCare staff to discuss a potential transition.
On the building project, hospital management said bids have been returned and staff are reviewing contractor proposals. The hospital will present information to its board at the end of the month, then provide public information in October and seek county board approval before moving forward with detailed design and construction. The presenters said the work is timed over multiple years with phased remodeling beginning in winter and ground breaking on an addition expected in spring; if timelines hold, detailed design work begins in early 2026 and completion could be around 2028.
"This project is not using any tax dollars," a hospital speaker emphasized, and the presenters said financing will rely on affordability and financing studies the hospital has commissioned to determine debt capacity and options. They also said a new in‑house pharmacy is scheduled to open in November and the hospital has hired an additional pharmacist to support compounding and infusion services locally.
Next steps: hospital staff will bring affordability and financing drafts to the hospital board later in September, follow with public outreach in October, and return to the county board to request approval to proceed with plans.
