Greater Regional board approves budget; donates to Greenfield tornado recovery

Forecasting a 2.7% operating loss for fiscal year 2025, the Greater Regional Health board Monday approved the fiscal year budget which begins July 1.

Chief Financial Officer Matt McCutchan explained an 8% revenue growth is expected highlighting primary care, oncology and surgery. He added a 10% expense growth during the fiscal year because of women’s health services, oncology, lab, salary and benefits.

McCutchan expects a 2.7% operating loss. Hospital administration has no plans to increase the tax asking during the fiscal year

“Historically it’s been fairly accurate,” said board chairman Dave Driskell about the budgets.

“It’s not perfect, but a good place to start,” McCutchan said.

The board also approved spending about $196,000 for new equipment for hematology. The unit from CellaVision provides blood analysis and allows for count differential.

“Technicians have to manually count, this will do that for them,” said Kim Wheeler, chief quality officer. “It can also detect irregularities and will help with cancer services.”

The device is expected later this summer.

Decks at Crest Ridge Estates will be renovated at total cost of $77,000. A composite material will be used. The cost includes $7,000 in contingency should additional needs be discovered during the construction.

The board approved adding $16,700 to the hospital staff’s cumulative donation of $3,300 for tornado relief in Greenfield.

Chief Executive Officer Monte Neitzel suggested the additional amount to get to $20,000.

“Every bit helps. We are going to be good citizens and be there for long term and help anyway we can,” he said. Earlier this year, the hospital opened a clinic in Greenfield. The clinic was not in the May 21 tornado’s path.