June 10 City Council Meeting: Elder Abuse Awareness, Hospital Report, and More

Watch a full replay of the June 10th City Council Meeting on the Excelsior Citizen YouTube Channel.

The Excelsior Springs City Council meeting on June 10, 2024, included Mayor Mark Spohn, proclaiming June as World Elder Abuse Awareness Month; Kristen DeHart, CEO of Excelsior Springs Hospital, presented the 2023 Annual Report; The council reappointed Parks & Recreation Board members; The council also approved a MOU with Clay County Parks for the maintenance and scheduling of Rocky Hollow Ballfields; and Fire Chief Joe Maddick presented the renewal contract with the Eastern Clay County Ambulance District (ECCAD). 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day of June 15, 2024

Mayor Mark Spohn issued a proclamation recognizing June as World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The proclamation highlighted the importance of treating older adults with respect and dignity, acknowledging their roles as leaders, mentors, volunteers, and vital community members.

Excelsior Springs Hospital Annual Report for 2023

Kristen DeHart, CEO of Excelsior Springs Hospital, presented the hospital’s annual report for 2023. The report highlighted the hospital’s activities, accomplishments, and financial performance over the past year.

Key statistics from the report included:

  • Inpatient Days: Decreased from 830 in 2022 to 600 in 2023, while Swing Bed days increased from 853 to 1,450.
  • Emergency Room Visits: Increased from 7,995 in 2022 to 8,500 in 2023.
  • Cardiopulmonary Services: EKGs performed rose from 2,180 to 2,540.
  • Home Health Visits: Increased from 16,117 to 17,250, with admissions rising from 625 to 740.
  • Lab Tests: Increased from 506,606 to 544,750.
  • Outpatient Clinic Visits: Increased from 6,541 to 9,200.
  • Pharmacy Doses Delivered: Increased from 70,110 to 78,000.
  • Physician Clinic Visits: Increased from 17,505 to 19,900.
  • Radiology Services: CT scans increased from 2,701 to 2,970, mammograms from 1,641 to 1,750, and MRIs from 674 to 740.
  • Surgery Cases: Increased from 431 to 495.
  • Therapy Visits: Increased from 12,990 to 15,140.
  • Meals Served: Nearly doubled from 56,025 to 96,300.

New specialists joining the hospital included Dr. Peter Gochee (ENT), Dr. Nicole Lee (Hospitalist), Dr. Michael Siscos (Dermatology), Dr. Evan Slanczka (Emergency Medicine), and KC Urology’s Drs. Brandon Kramer, Patrick Probst, and Keegan Zuk.

DeHart emphasized the hospital’s commitment to community service, partnerships, and maintaining open access to healthcare for all residents. She also highlighted the successful implementation of the Oracle Cerner electronic health records system, set to go live on August 28, 2024, which has already improved medication reconciliation, electronic prescriptions, and overall staff efficiency.

The hospital faced several challenges in 2023, including delays in provider licensures, insurance credentialing, and payments due to transitions. Despite these hurdles, the hospital reported a significant increase in patient gross revenues by 22.9% and average daily revenue by 40%.

Looking ahead, the hospital’s sustainability plan for 2023-2024 focuses on payroll and benefits for staff, vendor negotiations, short-term financing options, and long-term expense control measures. DeHart expressed confidence in the hospital’s future, underscoring the strong work and dedication of the hospital team to provide superior care and maintain the hospital’s role as a vital part of the community​​.

P&R Board Re-Appointments

The council passed a resolution to reappoint two members to the Parks & Recreation Board. Jake Simmons and Zac Wilkins were both reappointed to serve on the board until May 31, 2027.

MOU with Clay County Parks

The council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Clay County Parks. This agreement outlines the responsibilities for the scheduling and maintenance of the Rocky Hollow Ballfields.

The Excelsior Springs Parks, Recreation, & Community Center (ESPRCC) Department has been collaborating with Clay County Parks for several years to manage these ballfields. Under the MOU, the ESPRCC Department will continue to have top priority for scheduling sports practices and games, followed by public scheduling managed by the department. The Parks Maintenance Division will continue to handle all ballfield preparation and maintenance work.

Contract with Eastern Clay County Ambulance District

Fire Chief Joe Maddick presented the annual renewal contract with the Eastern Clay County Ambulance District (ECCAD). The council approved the contract, which extends the Excelsior Springs Fire Department’s (ESFD) service to ECCAD residents from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The cost per call, based on the EMS budget, is calculated at $829.05. For the 174 calls to ECCAD, this totals $144,254.70. Additionally, the cost of ambulance replacement, not included in the General Fund Budget, is estimated at $326,000. Allocating 6.12% of this cost to ECCAD adds another $19,951.20, bringing the total compensation needed to $164,205.90.

The approved amount remains at $115,000, unchanged from the previous year due to funding constraints faced by ECCAD. Despite the calculated need for $164,205.90 to cover service costs for 2025—a 9.3% increase from the $154,246.00 required in 2024—the ESFD said that it would accept the same $115,000 compensation as last year.

The council’s approval of the contract is recognition of the importance of these services to the county. However, the council noted that addressing the funding shortfalls by ECCAD will be crucial for ensuring the long-term effectiveness and reliability of the ESFD’s operations and continued service to ECCAD​​.

If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!

New Details: Fleeing Driver in High-Speed Crash Was a Sex Offender With Two Underage Girls
Mary and John Shepherd: A Lifetime of Love and Community
Vehicle Goes Airborne From Wildwood, Lands Inside Veterans Association
Teamwork makes the Dream Work
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: CEC Monthly Exchange Webinar Series Showcases Rural Missouri Collaboration
Thrive Excelsior Citizens Leadership Academy
Thrive Excelsior Opens Applications for Daytime Citizens Leadership Academy
Farmers Market
Excelsior Springs Farmers Market Expands with New Evening Market Location and Community Partnerships

News for and About Excelsior Springs!

Get the Excelsior Citizen e-newsletter delivered straight to your inbox each week. It’s a collection of the best news and events all focused exclusively on Excelsior Springs. No fluff just local news and information you can trust!