052009rHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Reconvened Meeting
May 20, 2009
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in a reconvened session on
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 from a meeting recessed May 19, 2009. The Board met in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present: Timothy B. McNeill, Chairman
Beatrice B. Hill, Vice Chairman
Dan B. Andrews
Jim Burgin
Commissioner Gary House was absent.
Staff present:
Scott Sauer, County Manager
Dwight W. Snow, County Attorney
Jennifer J. Slusser, Staff Attorney
Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board
Chairman McNeill called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
Dr. Bill Atkinson, CEO, WakeMed, discussed current health care in North Carolina. He
noted that health care is changing with more emphasis being placed on preventive
services. People are living longer and hospital stays are shorter. A new hospital is very
much needed in Harnett County due to growth of population. Doctors say there is a need
for ambulatory focus with 24 -7 service and care. Hospitals should be located near main
roads with a lot of space for expansion. The site for the Harnett Health System hospital is
ideal. Once construction begins, surrounding land will be developed with health care
related businesses. Science and technology businesses will be attracted.
Dr. Atkinson stated that for now construction of the new Harnett Health System hospital
is on hold due to lack of funding. No one could foresee the nation's economy taking the
downturn it has.
Kathleen Gormley, executive vice president for ambulatory services and operations at
WakeMed, discussed possible funding sources for the new hospital project. Lending
rates are high. Construction can not begin until funding is settled.
Commissioner Burgin asked for a list of all current WakeMed patients who live in
Harnett County and of those which are indigent. He also asked Dr. Atkinson for his
assistance to get mental health beds at the former Good Hope Hospital facility.
Diane Johnson, Lillington Commissioner, asked when construction on the new hospital
will begin Dr. Atkinson answered that he did not know, the planned start in October is
out. All over North Carolina projections on construction is at a standstill.
There being no further business, Vice Chairman Hill moved to adjourn. Commissioner
Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Harnett County Board of
Commissioners reconvened meeting, May 20, 2009, adjourned at 1:10 p.m.