Whether Pulaski Memorial Hospital will get almost $800,000 for its new MRI building from the county’s Cumulative Building Fund will be up for discussion during tonight’s county council meeting. Under the proposal, that money would be given to the hospital in 17 installments between now and 2027.
The hospital’s director of business development Gregg Malott told the county commissioners last week that the Cumulative Building Fund has been designated specifically for hospital projects. “Before, what would happen is you guys would just make the disbursements and then we would hold it and use it for building, et cetera,” he explained. “I think [starting] back in ’12, you just wanted us to come to you and say, ‘Hey, here’s what we’re spending it on. Can you make the motion to approve that so we could take it to the council and see if they’ll allow us to use that Cumulative Building Fund for this purpose?’ And with the MRI building, that qualifies, under the code, of what we can use those funds for.”
The county commissioners approved the funding proposal last week. It goes to the county council tonight for further consideration.
Council members will also consider several additional appropriation requests that were made back in February, but still haven’t been finalized. Those include $145,000 to replace a faulty door control system at the Pulaski County Justice Center and $40,000 for Superior Court pauper council, as well as permission to spend Community Crossings grant funds on upcoming bridge and paving projects.
Tonight’s Pulaski County Council meeting starts at 7:00 EDT at the Pulaski County Highway Garage, following the council’s joint session with the county commissioners at 6:00. During the joint meeting, the council and commissioners will decide whether to officially lower the speed limit on County Road 1550 West near Medaryville.
The County Highway Department has lowered the speed limit to 30 miles per hour between 150 North and 300 North, while nearby U.S. 421 is closed for a bridge replacement. A group of local residents wants the change to be made permanent.
County officials will also consider the purchase of a truck with roll-off hoist for the Pulaski County Transfer Station. Last week, the commissioners opened bids from four companies, ranging from under $152,000 to nearly $162,000.
