LUDOWICI -- At the February Long County Commission meeting, Liberty Regional Medical Center CEO Scott Kroell reported on Coastal Manor nursing home.
He talked about a new billing method by the hospital regarding ambulance trips and the state of the long-term debt on Coastal Manor.
According to Kroell, many EMS calls were to carry residents to the hospital for emergency care, but were not covered by Medicare.
"With the old billing system, a run like this was not ruled an emergency, but with the new software, and the correct billing it is now covered," Kroell said.
He added, "This software costs about $30,000, but since getting it, it has made a big difference in revenue from EMS."
He also told commissioners the long-term debt on the long-term care facility was around $5 million. However, he added, that the current market value of the center was $6 million.
Long County Commission Chairman Randy Wilson asked what had happened to a Long County advisory board that had been established when the center was built. According to Kroell it had "kind of faded out."
Commissioner Mike McGowan said, "It's a good thing to have representation from the county for the public's best interest, and we just wanted to know your feelings regarding this."
Kroell said he would welcome an appointment from Long County to the hospital authority. "Whatever you want to do, we can work it out," he said.
In other business, commissioners passed a variance and assumed responsibility for Fantasia Road.
"I have been looking at this for a while, and this is an unusual situation. When this area was first developed, the school buses used the road, and the intent was for it to become a county road," McGowan said. "I think it is a reasonable request for the county to accept it."
According to Wilson, the county would start maintaining the road immediately.
Long County Code Enforcement Officer John Bradley also reported that in January, 10 homes had been sold, nine relocation permits issued and 13 building permits issued. He also said there were 123 building permits open.
Bradley said roads in the subdivisions of Davenport Ridge, Lonely Oaks and The Crossing were ready to be accepted, and that the curve and gutter work had been completed in the subdivisions of Timberland and Burnt Pines.
County Engineer Trent Long said the county is still accepting bids for the initial work to be done at the park, including two more baseball fields and a concession stand. Long also said the expected time to complete the work once it is started is 90-120 days.
Sheriff Cecil Nobles informed commissioners that his department would be receiving a federal grant for $347,800 in March.
The sheriff also requested that a hole in the parking area of the sheriff's department be repaired, and that the commissioners consider hiring a part-time clerk at the department.
Commissioners approved repairing the parking area, but no action was taken on the park.
Whit Fraser resident Dawn Johnson asked for help creating of an animal control department. Commissioners informed her that they would set up a workshop with her to discuss her proposal.
He talked about a new billing method by the hospital regarding ambulance trips and the state of the long-term debt on Coastal Manor.
According to Kroell, many EMS calls were to carry residents to the hospital for emergency care, but were not covered by Medicare.
"With the old billing system, a run like this was not ruled an emergency, but with the new software, and the correct billing it is now covered," Kroell said.
He added, "This software costs about $30,000, but since getting it, it has made a big difference in revenue from EMS."
He also told commissioners the long-term debt on the long-term care facility was around $5 million. However, he added, that the current market value of the center was $6 million.
Long County Commission Chairman Randy Wilson asked what had happened to a Long County advisory board that had been established when the center was built. According to Kroell it had "kind of faded out."
Commissioner Mike McGowan said, "It's a good thing to have representation from the county for the public's best interest, and we just wanted to know your feelings regarding this."
Kroell said he would welcome an appointment from Long County to the hospital authority. "Whatever you want to do, we can work it out," he said.
In other business, commissioners passed a variance and assumed responsibility for Fantasia Road.
"I have been looking at this for a while, and this is an unusual situation. When this area was first developed, the school buses used the road, and the intent was for it to become a county road," McGowan said. "I think it is a reasonable request for the county to accept it."
According to Wilson, the county would start maintaining the road immediately.
Long County Code Enforcement Officer John Bradley also reported that in January, 10 homes had been sold, nine relocation permits issued and 13 building permits issued. He also said there were 123 building permits open.
Bradley said roads in the subdivisions of Davenport Ridge, Lonely Oaks and The Crossing were ready to be accepted, and that the curve and gutter work had been completed in the subdivisions of Timberland and Burnt Pines.
County Engineer Trent Long said the county is still accepting bids for the initial work to be done at the park, including two more baseball fields and a concession stand. Long also said the expected time to complete the work once it is started is 90-120 days.
Sheriff Cecil Nobles informed commissioners that his department would be receiving a federal grant for $347,800 in March.
The sheriff also requested that a hole in the parking area of the sheriff's department be repaired, and that the commissioners consider hiring a part-time clerk at the department.
Commissioners approved repairing the parking area, but no action was taken on the park.
Whit Fraser resident Dawn Johnson asked for help creating of an animal control department. Commissioners informed her that they would set up a workshop with her to discuss her proposal.