Sublette County Rural Health Care Board

by Bill Boender

The Sublette County Rural Health Care Board met Monday, June 14, at the Sublette County Courthouse with all members present. The board began with a discussion of air conditioning at both clinics. While work is scheduled, it appears nothing will be in place at either clinic until well into July. A temporary system for Pinedale awaits duct work, and in Marbleton material delays are holding up installation.

Doctor contracts were again delayed as issues remain to be resolved with Dr. Judith Boyle, who did not attend. Dr. David Burnett expressed hope that a contract could be in place before the current one expires on June 30, adding that it has been in negotiation for three months now and needs resolution. The board set a date for contract signing on Tuesday, June 29, at the Big Piney Library.

The Pinedale Emergency Medical Service received approval to hire one temporary person, for the summer period, to work from July 1 through Labor Day. The Marbleton EMS received approval to purchase three Life Pack units at a cost of some $19,000.

The board opened bids for advertising and generator maintenance, with awards going to Intermountain Electric for generator maintenance and to the Sublette Examiner for legal advertising.

A request by the Museum of the Mountain Man for use of parking space at the Pinedale Medical Clinic over Rendezvous weekend was approved on the recommendation of Dr. Boyle.

The final budget hearing was scheduled for July 14 at the county courthouse at 8 p.m. The board agreed to set up another committee to refine the duties of an administrator/coordinator before advertising the position.

Regarding new construction and remodeling of clinics, Bill Barney recommended that the board retain the services of Paul Scherbel to map and list available properties in Big Piney and Marbleton and Buzz Wassenberg to research value and suitability of those properties.

Four tracts have been identified as possible locations for the new clinic. The board also voted to pursue contact with G.E. Johnson as possible general contractor for the planned construction. $200,000 has been budgeted for the planning phase of the projects.

After three hours in session, remaining items were tabled until the next meeting.