Local News – Thursday, November 19th, 2020
Before the Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting Tuesday evening in the hospital library, an audit report from Jean Nyberg of B K & D CPA and Advisors was presented. Nyberg said an unmodified accountant’s opinion was given which indicates it was a clean audit. She mentioned this was a strange year as the hospital received deferred CARES Act funds of approximately 4.4 million dollars and Medicare Advance Payments of $3.25 million dollars that are right now considered liabilities. The hospital also issued bonds in the amount of $2.5 million dollars for renovation projects and took advantage of the Payroll Protection Program valued at $2.3 million dollars. Nyberg stated that when the hospital was without a chief financial officer, financial records were weak for accuracy as well as the patient’s accounts receivable. Reconciliation of the net income revealed numerous adjustments that totaled $3,136,236 that showed expenses over revenues of $1,298,227 for the fiscal year. She said the days revenue in accounts receivable are artificially inflated with the pandemic at 58 days while current assets for the 2020 fiscal year came in at over $25 million dollars. Days cash on hand continues to be inflated at 177 and long term debt increased to over $4 million dollars with the bond issuance and ambulance purchase. The debt to capitalization ratio went up to 36.1% which is well below the 45% acceptable range for critical access hospitals. Before the renovation, Salem was at 5.3%. Even with the loss from operations, Nyberg said the operating revenue for Salem was up which is a good sign for the hospital. With the loss, the net operating margin for the hospital dropped to –6.7% with the total margin falling to –4.8%. The audit committee letter pointed out the significant journal entries and reconciliation that had to be made to the books, the continued lack of segregation of duties between the disbursements and revenue cycle, plus the some small deficiencies with the inventory and credit card purchases. After going over some COVID-19 related provisions with the board, Nyberg updated the board on some new mandates on the horizon. She said the hospital will have to have total price transparency on at least 300 shoppable services by January 1st of 2021 or pay a $300 per day penalty until it is completed. She also said there was going to be a physician fee schedule change with Medicare’s conversion factor and a change in charges for CPT codes that will be released by December 2nd. Nyberg thanked the staff at the hospital for their cooperation with the audit.
A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3:00 on Dent County Road 3230 at Dent County Road 3240 one mile north of Salem. The report released by the highway patrol states that 60-year old Cynthia Indelicato of Salem was driving a 2002 Dodge pickup eastbound and failed to stop at the stop sign, went through the intersection, ran off the roadway and struck two trees. Indelicato was transported by the highway patrol vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold a special closed session meeting at 5:30 this evening for a student issue before holding their regular board meeting at 6:00 at the R-80 District Administrative Offices Board Room. At the meeting, the board will hear from Dr. Bernie Sirois on the school foundation before Superintendent Lynne Reed will update the board on the COVID-19 situation, talk about the Athletic Advisory and the leadership team meetings. Each of the building principals will give their reports and Athletic Director Phillip Karr will give an update on the Athletic Advisory committee. In new business, the nurses sub pay will be discussed as well as COVID restrictions. The board will also set the board filing dates for the next Municipal Election. The board will then adjourn and go into executive session. The regular board meeting of the Salem R-80 School Board of Education is open to the public.
A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 4:40 in Maries County on Highway H near County Road 422. According to the report from the highway patrol a 2010 Hyundai Elantra being driven by 20 year old Nathaniel Robinson of St. James was northbound and swerved to avoid an animal in the road causing the vehicle to travel off the left side of the road, strike a tree, and overturn. Robinson was taken by Ozark Central Ambulance to Phelps Health for treatment of moderate injuries. The Elantra was totaled and removed from the scene by Owens Towing.
Wal-Mart is making it easier for you to lend a helping hand to your local Dent County Salvation Army Service Unit. Going on now, customers at the Wal-Mart Superstore in Salem have the opportunity to donate to the Salvation Army by rounding up their total to the nearest dollar when paying at the register. This can only be done at any manned register. Additionally, the Red Kettle bell ringers will get an early start outside Wal-Mart this Saturday, November 21st. Normally, the famous red kettle collections locally wouldn’t start until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and yes, the bell ringers will also be out that day, and then every Friday and Saturday until Thursday, December 24th which of course is Christmas Eve. Counter kettles will also be located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue to meet the needs of the less fortunate in our community. Volunteer bell ringers are needed each year to help raise funds. To volunteer to ring the bell at the red kettle, please call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099 or The Salvation Army office at 729-8163.