by RAYMA BEKEBROCK DAVIS
Democrat editor


(January 3, 2009) LAMAR - The Barton County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees received very good news at their regular meeting on December 22. Both the Lockwood Clinic and the Golden City Clinic have been approved for the Rural Health Clinic certification following onsite surveys. The certification is effective now, but it may take several weeks to obtain new billing numbers.
The board learned the delay in obtaining those numbers will cause a delay in billing both Medicare and Medicaid patients. The board discussed informing patients of the billing delay, and further decided a brief written note should be handed to affected patients at the two clinics.
In other business, the board learned there was a net gain of $27,800 for November which was good considering the month was slow statistically. Mike Buchanan, trustee, said when comparing the numbers and the budget, the hospital is doing quite well.
Virginia Rutledge, assistant administrator, gave the personnel report. There were no new hires, and the last payroll showed 167 full-time employees. Turn over remains low.
Rudy Snedigar, CEO, reported requesting bids for a loan on the remaining balance of computer equipment and the ultrasound purchases. The low bid was from the Bank of Minden.
He also reported talking with Children’s Mercy about their interest in doing a pediatric endocrinology clinic at BCMH.
A physician recently toured the hospital but only wants an office practice with no hospital practice which would not work out at BCMH.
Landscapers have been waiting on matching stone to finish the area where the signature bricks will be displayed, but the weather is too cold to continue. They will add a couple of lanterns on the pillars and will replace dead shrubs.
Diabetic Education is working on obtaining an asthma grant from the missouri Foundation for Health which would amount to $600,000 over a period fo several years. The American Lung Association would like to partner with the hospital if the grant is awarded. They would provide some of the material needed for the project.
A proposed resolution authorizing Snedigar to complete the loan transaction with the Bank of Minden was submitted and unanimously approved. Those voting were Buchanan, Jill Purinton, Mike Vaughan, Tom Shaw and Karen Wegener.
The board also received a proposed operating budget for 2009. Wendy Duvall, director of finance, told the board projections are good. The budget is a conservative one in revenue and expenses. The clinics are budgeted at a loss, but Duvall pointed out all physicians salaries are included in the clinic budget while revenue from the BCMH physicians is reflected in the hospital budget instead. The board unanimously accepted the budget.
The capital budget was also presented. The surgery department requested eight new monitors, but four are on the immediate consideration list while four are placed on a list for later consideration. The most expensive piece of equipment is a hematology analyzer for the lab which has been requested for several years. Any time in section two will need further investigation and board approval for purchase. The board also approved the capital budget.
After a closed session the board unanimously approved Coye McMillan, D.O. for consulting staff for emergency medicine as was Theodore Weitz, M.

by RAYMA BEKEBROCK DAVIS
Democrat editor

(January 3, 2009) The holidays are over and the last of the gifts exchanged hopefully and time to move into a new year with new plans and changes for the better we all hope. It is also time to get your information to the Democrat for “Progress” 2009.
Many letters have been sent, and the form has been appearing in the newspaper since the last of November, 2008, but time has a way of getting past us while we think, “I’ll do that tomorrow.”
Every year some group or organization or business fails to get their information to us, and then their recaps of the previous year and plans for the future are left out of the special edition which will be published this year on March 28.
As always, there will be five sections in the special edition including “Church and Community”, “City and County Government”, “Business and Industry”, “Health and Education” and “Farm and Rural”.
Anyone who has questions, can call the Democrat at 417-682-5529. If you have a story you would like help with or photos taken, please call.
This opportunity to tell your progress and plans is a completely free service to you from us. This special section will be overprinted and will be used by various entities to promote Lamar and the area. For instance, the Barton County Chamber of Commerce keeps copies to give to people wishing to start businesses here or those who want to call the area home.
Please don’t miss your opportunity to be included. The first deadlines are for “Church and Community” which is the first week in February, but we accept any information at any time beginning now.
Don’t wait until tomorrow.

By Richard Cooper

(january 3, 2009) LAMAR - Sales tax receipts for November and December by the city of Lamar dropped eight percent when compared to figures for the same two months of 2007. City Clerk Carolyn Taffner said the decline in collections amounted to $8,111. However, for the 12 months ending December 5, 2008, receipts continued a slight edge over the same 12 months ending in December, 2007. Collections for 2008 came to $650,848 compared to 2007 collections of $648,294.
Taffner said the latest figures reflect very little in Christmas purchases, adding that the December receipts, which will become available around January 8, 2009, will likely be down more than eight percent.
All figures are based on the one percent sales tax that goes into general revenue. The city also has a one-half percent sales tax for capital improvements and a one-half percent sales tax for transportation, both of which will experience identical declines.
All sales taxes collected are submitted to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The portion of the total collected that is generated by the city sales tax is rebated back to the city on a monthly basis.