By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

In conjunction with the regular meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital board of trustees on April 25, a public hearing was held regarding the hospital’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. No citizens in person or online spoke up with any concerns or questions, and no written comments had been received, so the hearing was promptly closed. The trustees voted to approve the budget as proposed.

The trustees heard an annual audit report from the accounting firm of Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn and Company (GBK). The audit noted comments and recommendations, including some lack of segregation of duties. The audit also noted some expenses that appeared appropriate but which may have been incorrectly reported.

Board chair Mike Underwood asked for clarification.

“Are you saying there would be the potential we would need to send funds back?” asked Underwood.

The auditor reassured the trustees that seems unlikely, for several reasons. The hospital will need to submit a corrective action plan to the state, to explain the situation, but no repayment is likely to be required.

The board went into closed session to discuss a matter for which a closed session is allowed.

The next regular meeting of the trustees will be May 23. The public is welcome. For information on how to participate in the meeting, visit www.guthriecountyhospital.org.