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Rhea Medical Center board adopts FY2026 budget, approves emergency chiller repairs and hires; minutes read into county record
Summary
Rhea Medical Center Board minutes read into the county record show the board approved a FY2026 budget, accepted May financials, approved several credentialing actions, and authorized emergency TRANE chiller repairs and rentals plus other capital expenditures.
The Rhea Medical Center Board of Directors' minutes for June 16, 2025 were read into the Rhea County commission record on Aug. 19. The packet lists multiple administrative and financial approvals by the hospital board.
Financial and staffing decisions: The hospital reported a net income of about $35,000 for May 2025, with details showing higher gross patient revenue and higher supply and salary costs. The board approved the FY2026 budget and several medical-staff reappointments. The board also approved a plan to transition from a contract physician model (Concord Medical) to an employed model and authorized work on physician recruitment.
Capital and emergency repairs: The hospital board authorized emergency measures to address the TRANE chiller unit, including short-term rental ($31,900 for first month, $26,000 recurring) and compressor replacement ($45,792), and Circuit 2 repairs ($32,824). The packet notes the unit is 18 years old and the board approved additional repairs and rental to maintain operations. The board also approved OR lights ($25,895.12), Johnson Control fire service agreement renewal ($5,891.60), and other equipment and maintenance invoices.
Why it matters: The approvals reflect immediate operations and capital needs at the county hospital, where equipment failures required emergency financial decisions and where leadership is pursuing a new physician recruitment and staffing strategy.
Next steps: The board scheduled further oversight and will present transition plans for physician recruitment and for the shift to an employed CRNA model later in the year. The commission recorded the minutes as part of county business.
