South Lincoln Hospital District seeks Lincoln County sponsorship for CDBG; commissioners request legal review of proposed walk-in services agreement

Representatives of the South Lincoln Hospital District asked the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners on Sept. 20 to sponsor a Community Development Block Grant application for neighborhood roof repairs and to consider a walk-in services agreement covering county employees.

David Ryerse, CEO of the South Lincoln Hospital District, presented a new proposal for a walk-in services agreement. The commissioners indicated they preferred a two-year term for that agreement and said the contract needs review by the county attorney before any final commitment.

Heather Hronek, grant coordinator for South Lincoln Medical Center, described the CDBG neighborhood development program and said the hospital’s letter of intent does not request county funds. Commissioner Hansen asked about the hospital’s track record administering grants to ensure the county would not inherit exposure; Hronek said she has worked with grants since 2021 and has coordinated with county grant staff, including Mary Crosby.

Chairman King noted the county is eligible for only two of these types of sponsorships per year and suggested the hospital also approach the City of Kemmerer or the Town of Diamondville as alternative sponsors. Mary Crosby, Lincoln County grant coordinator, explained that sponsorship paperwork must be in place by Sept. 30 and outlined the county workload that sponsorship entails.

The board adopted a motion to sponsor the CDBG application; county staff will complete required paperwork and submit materials by the grant deadline, and the county attorney will review the proposed walk-in services agreement before the county signs or otherwise commits to any service contract.

Next steps: grant sponsorship paperwork to be finalized by Sept. 30; county attorney review of the walk-in services agreement before finalization.