Board members at Schneider Regional Medical Center unanimously approved a budget Wednesday evening that would put the hospital at a $4.18 million deficit for the next fiscal year.
Treasurer Vincent Samuel said fiscal year 2011 revenue is predicted to be approximately $101.7 million, while expenses are expected to be $105.9.million.
Board members debated what to do about the fact that the projected amount expected to be received from General Fund appropriations – about $27 million – would be $2 million less than last year. The loss of that money was accounted for in the budget, but members were not sure if the expected loss should just be accepted as a given.
Samuel advised board members to go with the flow and tough it out.
“The current financial condition of the government is grave,” he said. “Now is not the best time to be viewed as not a team player.”
Chairperson Cornel Williams said hospital officials still have no way of funding capital expenditures and have repeatedly been asked to cut their budget. He said because the work the hospital does is so important, every penny counts.
“This institution cannot continue to be treated like every other agency,” he said.
Hospital officials also discussed ways to improve employee relations, so as to better serve the community.
Chief Executive Officer Alice Taylor told members that she has been holding town meetings with employees to hear what they had to say. She said employees told her they wanted recognition for good work done and better leadership.
Williams told members that employee relations were key to a well-run, financially successful enterprise.
“If we have good employee relations, then a lot of those things will follow,” he said.