BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -
Jefferson County Commissioners became testy discussing increasing financial controls over spending at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Commissioners will vote next week to accept recommendations of an audit by Warren Averett LLC. At one point, a heated discussion lead to an exchange between Commissioners David Carrington and George Bowman.
"You haven't worked with us. You have been a one trick pony, that's all you've talked about. One trick pony. You have one solution," Carrington said.
"I'm a trick pony? I'm a one trick pony?" Bowman responded.
Carrington was critical of Bowman for only offering to create a healthcare authority as a solution to Cooper Green's Hospital's financial problems.
The audit pointed out a discretionary fund designed to help emergency situations for food and transportation was instead going to pay for consultants, furniture and t-shirts for hospital employees over the years.
"We received an audit that showed some problems both operationally, procedurally and we felt we needed to deal with those immediately," Carrington said.
Bowman told commissioners he considered the possible closing of the hospital and the loss of jobs an emergency situation and that's why he authorized payments to consultants to develop plans to help cut costs.
"I believe I was within my right as the appointing authority to the hospital to make the decision I made," Bowman said.
Other commissioners disagreed and voted to terminate the discretionary fund. Some commissioners fear laws could been violated with the discretionary expenditures and they say the Jefferson County District Attorney's office is looking into the matter.
"Has there been a bid law violation? Has there been an inappropriate use of county money.? That is for the attorney's to determine," Commissioner Joe Knight said.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The financial spending of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital was the center of a heated discussion among commission members Wednesday.
The audit pointed out a discretionary fund designed to help emergency situations for food and transportation was instead going to pay for consultants, furniture and t-shirts for hospital employees over the years.
Next week, Jefferson County commissioners will vote to accept recommendations of an audit by Warren Averett LLC.
