Jackson revenue projections allow airport, hospital help

JEFFERSON - The Jackson County Airport Authority and BJC Medical Center Authority both requested money from Jackson County's general fund this week, and a rosier-than-expected economic outlook has put commissioners in a giving mood.

Despite a sharp downturn in sales tax revenue, the county is projected to finish out the fiscal year in December with about $7.5 million in its reserves, according to a first-quarter financial report compiled by Finance Director John Hulsey.

BJC Medical Center Authority member Rick Massey asked commissioners at a commission meeting this week to guarantee a $5.2 million loan and $1 million line of credit for the hospital and make the loan payments temporarily.

BJC Medical Center underwent significant staff cuts and closed its maternity ward in late 2008, but administrators still are not able to the meet the hospital's debt obligations and continue to run the hospital.

"This a lot of money," said Hunter Bicknell, chairman of the Jackson County Commission. "It's a huge commitment that you're asking for. ... We're going to need some assurance that the facility will be able to operate in the black in the future, regardless of different contingencies or the lagging economy continuing."

Commissioners agreed that the hospital is vital to the county, and they should do what they can to keep it open.

Authority members hope to sell the hospital to a private firm in the coming months, but no deal has been finalized, Massey told commissioners. Bicknell told Massey that the authority should pursue a sale even if commissioners agree to guarantee the loan. The board is slated to vote on the medical center's request May 18.

Jackson County airport director Bob Stapleton and the Jackson County Airport Authority made a smaller request of commissioners, asking to borrow about $436,000 from the county. Commissioners deliberated several months before agreeing to the loan Monday.

The airport authority will use the money to pay for design and engineering work for a second taxiway, a new terminal building and new commercial and general aviation hangar sites - all part of a five-year, $15 million capital improvement plan.

The state Department of Transportation will reimburse the county for the expenditure, but it could take a couple of months, Stapleton said.

The Jackson County Airport Authority asked the commission to fund the engineering study to make the project shovel-ready before the next round of federal stimulus money is released, Stapleton said.

"We're expecting another round of federal money to come into Georgia for aviation," Stapleton said. "The (state DOT) has suggested that if we had shovel-ready plans, then we would likely receive some of that money."

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Home Site Map Subscribe to our Monthly Email Newsletter	Rutherford County Jackson revenue projections allow airport, hospital help JEFFERSON - The Jackson County Airport Authority and BJC Medical Center Authority both requested money from Jackson County's general fund this week, and a rosier-than-expected economic outlook has put commissioners in a giving mood. Despite a sharp downturn in sales tax revenue, the county is projected to finish out the fiscal year in December with about $7.5 million in its reserves, according to a first-quarter financial report compiled by Finance Director John Hulsey. BJC Medical Center Authority member Rick Massey asked commissioners at a commission meeting this week to guarantee a $5.2 million loan and $1 million line of credit for the hospital and make the loan payments temporarily. BJC Medical Center underwent significant staff cuts and closed its maternity ward in late 2008, but administrators still are not able to the meet the hospital's debt obligations and continue to run the hospital. "This a lot of money," said Hunter Bicknell, chairman of the Jackson County Commission. "It's a huge commitment that you're asking for. ... We're going to need some assurance that the facility will be able to operate in the black in the future, regardless of different contingencies or the lagging economy continuing." Commissioners agreed that the hospital is vital to the county, and they should do what they can to keep it open. Authority members hope to sell the hospital to a private firm in the coming months, but no deal has been finalized, Massey told commissioners. Bicknell told Massey that the authority should pursue a sale even if commissioners agree to guarantee the loan. The board is slated to vote on the medical center's request May 18. Jackson County airport director Bob Stapleton and the Jackson County Airport Authority made a smaller request of commissioners, asking to borrow about $436,000 from the county. Commissioners deliberated several months before agreeing to the loan Monday. The airport authority will use the money to pay for design and engineering work for a second taxiway, a new terminal building and new commercial and general aviation hangar sites - all part of a five-year, $15 million capital improvement plan. The state Department of Transportation will reimburse the county for the expenditure, but it could take a couple of months, Stapleton said. The Jackson County Airport Authority asked the commission to fund the engineering study to make the project shovel-ready before the next round of federal stimulus money is released, Stapleton said. "We're expecting another round of federal money to come into Georgia for aviation," Stapleton said. "The (state DOT) has suggested that if we had shovel-ready plans, then we would likely receive some of that money." Continue to Athens Banner-Herald - Jackson revenue projections allow airport, hospital help © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. Rate This Article: Comment on "Jackson revenue projections allow airport, hospital help" Your Name Your Comments Verification Code: MEHG84 Enter Code: Humane Society will take in more animals JEFFERSON - The Humane Society of Jackson County soon will be taking in more of the dogs and cats that are picked up by Jackson County Animal Control officers. Oconee County at Franklin County When and where: 7:30 p.m. tonight at Ed Bryant Stadium Three indicted in fall beating Jackson County JEFFERSON - Three Jackson County men face aggravated assault and kidnapping charges in connection to the October beating of an Athens man who they allegedly knocked unconscious, wrapped in a rug and dumped in a South Jackson County neighborhood. Jackson 3-0 start takes team's mind off losing decade The grand total of Jackson County's playoff tradition is three trophies in the fieldhouse, all for sub-region runner-up finishes. Swine show team opens season in Jackson County The Madison County 4-H and FFA swine show team competed in the first swine show of the season Sept. 5 at the Jackson County High School Agriculture Center.