Item R09
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: 11118/09 (KL)
Division:
Commissioner Neugent
BulkItem: Yes ~ No
Department:
Staff Contact PersonJPhone #:Suzanne Hutton x 3470
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Resolution supporting legislation to establish the Middle
Keys Hospital District, an independent special district for the maintenance & equipping of Fishermen's
Hospital.
ITEM BACKGROUND: In 1957, a group of concerned citizens formed the Marathon Hospital
Association, a nonprofit organization chartered by the State of Florida. Reorganization in 1959
converted the group to what is known as Fishermen's Hospital. On August 23, 1962, the building
known as Fisherments Hospital was officially dedicated. In July 1986, the Board of Trustees of
Fishermen's Hospital signed a lease with Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA). HMA has
indicated an intent to allow their current lease to expire, which agreement authorizes them to retain the
equipment which they paid for, and the hospital will be without funding or ability to re-equip and
maintain the facility without the taxing power of an independent special district. Residents of the
Middle Keys are seeking support for legislation to establish such a district.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval.
TOTAL COST:
o
INDIRECT COST: _0
BUDGETED: Yes _No
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE: N/A
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty ~ OMBJPurchasing _ Risk Management _
DOCUMENTATION:
Included
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 7/09
Mayor Neugent
RESOLUTION NO. -2009
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO
ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL
DISTRICT TO BE KNOWN AS THE MIDDLE
KEYS HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE
HOSPITAL AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.
WHEREAS, unique and distinct areas of Monroe County exist with differing degrees
and need concerning health and trauma care; and
WHEREAS, local Monroe County hospitals offer varying degrees of ability to serve
residents of their respective areas concerning health and trauma care; and
WHEREAS, in 1957, a group of concerned citizens formed the Marathon Hospital
Association, a nonprofit organization chartered by the State of Florida and reorganized in 1959
to what is known as the Board of Trustees of Fishermen's Hospital; and
WHEREAS, there are presently no health care and facilities enhancement districts in the
Middle Keys to maintain and equip the existing hospital, Fishermen's Hospital, which has been
operated by a company indicating an intent to allow their operating lease to expire; and
WHEREAS, the continued existence of hospital and emergency room services in the
Middle Keys is in grave jeopardy without the establishment of an independent special district to
enhance such facilities and care offerings to the residents and visitors of the area; and
WHEREAS, FS 189.404(4) specifies that "Except as otherwise authorized by general
law, only the Legislature may create independent special districts;" and
WHEREAS, Monroe County finds it in the best interests of the residents of and visitors
to the Middle Keys that there be created a means of providing indigent care and accomplishing
facility and equipment upgrading; and
WHEREAS, passage of this resolution is absolutely essential to maintain the existence
of hospital and emergency room services in the Middle Keys; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
MK Hospital District
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1. Monroe County supports the efforts of the residents of the Middle Keys to seek the creation of
an independent special district for the purpose of providing a supplemental funding source
necessary to ensure retention and operation of Fishermen's Hospital in order to be able to
continue to have hospital services and emergency care in the Middle Keys.
2. The State Legislature is urged to enact legislation at the 2010 regular session which would
create the special Middle Keys Hospital District with authority for taxation which would be
needed to operate the facility, acquire and upgrade equipment facilities for Fishermen's Hospital,
and facilitate the provision of indigent care.
3. This resolution shall be effective as of the date of passage.
4. The Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to: Representative Ron Saunders, 203
House Office Building, 102 Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl. 32399-1300, and 90311 Overseas
Highway, Suite A, Tavernier, FL 33070; and Senator Larcenia Bullard, 218 Senate Office
Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100, and 8603 S. Dixie Highway,
Suite 304, Miami, FL 33143.
PASSED AND ADOPfED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the _ day of ,2009.
Mayor Neugent
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy
Commissioner Carruthers
Commissioner DiGennaro
Commissioner Wigington
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
By
Deputy Clerk
Mayor/Chairperson
y
MK Hospital District
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