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AGENDA HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING December 21, 2017 9:30 A.M. |
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a SPECIAL MEETING of the Commissioners Court will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Administration Building, 100 E. Cano, 1st floor, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas. Discussion and possible action relating to the following business will be transacted:
1.
Roll Call
Commissioners Cantu and Palacios were not present during the meeting.
Commissioners Cantu and Palacios were not present during the meeting.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
Judge Garcia led the courtroom in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Judge Garcia led the courtroom in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer
Oliver De La Garza led the courtroom in prayer.
Oliver De La Garza led the courtroom in prayer.
4.
Health & Human Services Department:
A.
AI-62983
1. Public Hearing, at 9:30 am, to consider public comments concerning the amount of mandatory payments required to be paid by paying hospitals for fiscal year 2018 and how the revenue derived from those payments is to be spent.
Judge Garcia Opened the Public Hearing.
Texas Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa acknowledged the work completed by Jonathan Almanza and Valde Guerra to comply with the statute and meet timelines. The senator spoke in regards to the Local Participation Provider Fund and how hospitals pull that money to be able to draw funding fo the 115 Waiver Program, without affecting tax payers. Hinojosa recalled, he and others initiated the program several years ago and has been so successful that other regions have copied the model.
Fern McClaugherty said she was glad to know this does not involve tax payer's money. However, she indicated that there is one hospital that receives the most. She added that Hidalgo County tax payers will fight against any hospital district or medical school taxing entity. McClaugherty indicated that it is county's responsibility to pay the 8%.
Judge Garcia stated that there is no requirement under the law, for the county to pay up to 8% of the budget.
Judge Garcia Closed the Public Hearing.
2. Consideration and possible approval of mandatory payment to be assessed quarterly by the Hidalgo County Health Care Funding District on the net patient revenue of an institutional health care provider and how the revenue derived from those payments is to be spent.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
3. Consideration and possible approval for the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor/Collector to collect the mandatory payment required by Hidalgo County Health Care Funding District.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
4. Consideration and approval to assess mandatory payment annual rate.
Irene Sarmiento informed that the rate is 3.62% with the payments at $45,242,600.83
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
5. Consideration and approval to set quarterly assessment dates.
1st Quarter in September 2017 - November 2017
2nd Quarter in December 2017 - February 2018
3rd Quarter in March 2018 - May 2018
4th Quarter in June 2018 - August 2018
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
Judge Garcia Opened the Public Hearing.
Texas Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa acknowledged the work completed by Jonathan Almanza and Valde Guerra to comply with the statute and meet timelines. The senator spoke in regards to the Local Participation Provider Fund and how hospitals pull that money to be able to draw funding fo the 115 Waiver Program, without affecting tax payers. Hinojosa recalled, he and others initiated the program several years ago and has been so successful that other regions have copied the model.
Fern McClaugherty said she was glad to know this does not involve tax payer's money. However, she indicated that there is one hospital that receives the most. She added that Hidalgo County tax payers will fight against any hospital district or medical school taxing entity. McClaugherty indicated that it is county's responsibility to pay the 8%.
Judge Garcia stated that there is no requirement under the law, for the county to pay up to 8% of the budget.
Judge Garcia Closed the Public Hearing.
2. Consideration and possible approval of mandatory payment to be assessed quarterly by the Hidalgo County Health Care Funding District on the net patient revenue of an institutional health care provider and how the revenue derived from those payments is to be spent.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
3. Consideration and possible approval for the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor/Collector to collect the mandatory payment required by Hidalgo County Health Care Funding District.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
4. Consideration and approval to assess mandatory payment annual rate.
Irene Sarmiento informed that the rate is 3.62% with the payments at $45,242,600.83
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
5. Consideration and approval to set quarterly assessment dates.
1st Quarter in September 2017 - November 2017
2nd Quarter in December 2017 - February 2018
3rd Quarter in March 2018 - May 2018
4th Quarter in June 2018 - August 2018
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
5.
Adjourn
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously