Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors called a special meeting for June 25, and approved the 2024-25 budget after a 12-minute discussion before moving to closed session.
Present for the June 25 session were Karen Brown, Zach Moser (virtual), Wanda Tatom (virtual), Mike Swyers, Dr. Leigh Ann Price, and Frank Barnitz.
The board passed the budget, with all approving and Moser abstaining.
Slides with financial outlooks were presented at the June 25 meeting.
CFO Kayla Chamberlain provided a “clear view” of projected numbers for 2024 and 2025, as well as audited numbers from the 2022 and 2023 audit.
“She (Kayla) took a huge amount of time and effort into presenting these numbers,” commented Dr. Price, as the board agreed it is a clear view of the financial situation.
The projected loss in 2024, $975,393 is significantly better than the actual loss of 2023, $2,380,336, according to the figures presented. The projected budget for 2025 shows an ending balance of $59,526.
The June 25 special called meeting was one of four called from June 21-28. Notice was received at the following times and dates for the meetings:
• 4:42 p.m. June 21 for a 5 p.m. June 21 meeting
• 10:13 p.m. June 22 for a 2 p.m. June 23 meeting
• 4:08 p.m. June 24 for a 7 p.m. June 25 meeting
• 8:52 a.m. June 28 for a 10 a.m. June 28 meeting
All agendas included roll call and moving to closed session.
Except in emergency situations, a public body must give at least 24 hours' public notice before holding a meeting. If the meeting will be closed to the public, the notice must state the specific provision within Section 610.021, RSMo., that allows the meeting to be closed.
“This meeting is being held with less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice of the meeting and the nature of the good cause justifying less than twenty-four (24) hours' notice will be stated in the minutes,” was included on the notices.
Also, under Missouri's Sunshine Law, a vote by a board must be made available to the public within 72 hours after the closed meeting in which such action occurred.
The Salem News has not received minutes from any of the four meetings.
