LSHA: $125k Hyped-Up Parking Lot Expense. Meridian-Financed With $57,151,934 of Taxpayer Money. Lake City City Manager Look Alike Contest
July 16 2024 5:05 pm | 3 min read
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is one of over 1,900 special districts in Florida. The governor appoints its Board. So far this year, the Gov's Board has spent an average of $54,866 per month ($493,798 yr.) to keep the hospital vacant. The Authority has 16 indigent care clients. But there is more…
Background:
No Rush to Occupy Vacant Hospital
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority (LSHA or Authority) was established by the Florida Legislature in 1963. However, the precursor legislation recognizing the Lake Shore Hospital began in 1947.
In October 2020, the hospital's lessee bought out its lease and went on its way. Since then, according to Authority figures, the Governor’s LSHA Board has spent $3,193,728.73 keeping the hospital vacant. This money is (was) owned by the citizens of Columbia County.
An impotent and illegally constituted board, along with its Authority Manager, was not in a rush to occupy the hospital and the Authority's other buildings.
The Expenses Keep Adding Up
In January 2023, Meridian Behavioral Services produced a plan to take over the vacated Authority hospital. That was nineteen months ago or translated into public money, $1,812,780. The almost two million dollars does not include paying tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees and the salary of Authority Manager Dale Williams.
The major holdup consummating the deal between Meridian and the Authority has not been the talk of claimed poor working conditions, its inability to staff its Lake City facility, and the lack of quality care at Meridian, but the now debunked claim by Meridian CEO Don Savoie that Meridian needed to have the parking lot in front of the emergency room in order to be licensed by AHCA.
It is unclear why LSHA Attorney Todd Kennon or his law firm did not check with AHCA regarding Savoie’s claim.
The Authority taxpayers didn't have to spend $125k for the unnecessary parking lot for Meridian.
Other Unmentioned: Columbia County Tax
Payers Are Already Paying Meridian
Meridian CEO Savoie Receives 37% Pay Raise
While the County's taxpayers were being hit up or shaken down by Meridian for the parking lot, the Governor’s Board and Meridian CEO Savoie were keeping mum on the financial contribution already being provided to Meridian by those on the County tax roll.
According to the latest numbers provided by the County Clerk’s Finance Office, the County’s last quarterly payment to Meridian was $65,344, which at that rate is at least $261,376 for 2025 and over $1.2 mil in the past four years
Floating on a Sea of Public Money: $57,151,934
Meridian floats on a sea of public money. Last year (year ending 6-30-2023) between government grants ($41,982,292) and Medicaid ($15,169,642) Meridian took in $57,151,934. That is money that comes from taxpayers.
Meridian increased its government revenue by $9,725,802 over the year before.
Meridian’s Board awarded Mr. Savoie with a 37% pay increase, part of which was $67k in “bonus & incentive.” Mr. Savoie’s total pay package went from $265,860 to $362,967. The reason for the bonus and incentive is unknown.
With the Governor’s Board on track to donate the $125k parking lot (something they didn’t need to buy in the first place) to Meridian, Mr. Savoie’s next yearly increase could also be substantial.
Board Member Kennedy Gets the Wrong Man:
Or – The Lake City City Manager Look Alike
Contest
City Manager Don Rosenthal (left); Assistant
City Manager Dee Johnson (right) in the School
Board Administrative Complex auditorium. Mr.
Rosenthal is 6'4", Mr. Johnson 5'7".
Board member Don Kennedy was another board member appointed by Gov. DeSantis.
Mr. Kennedy spent almost four decades as an investigator in the public defender’s office, something he reminds the Board and the public of from time to time.
During the July 8 Authority meeting, after Authority Attorney Todd Kennon demonstrated his lack of Robert’s Rules knowldege regarding the handing-off of the gavel, Mr. Kennedy said, “I can’t wait to read this in the Lake City Reporter.” And he did.
But the mainstream media didn't report on what some may consider humorous, and others just a fact of life where in the Lake City community, the population is split between white folks and not white folks.
Not too long after CEO Savoie finished his time at the podium, Mr. Kennedy inquired (sort of interrogated) LCPD Police Chief Butler. When Chief Butler was finished, Mr. Kennedy thanked the Chief for coming to the meeting, adding, "And the new City Manager– I noticed him back there – I appreciate him being here tonight, too.”
Chief Butler advised Mr. Kennedy, “That was the Assistant City Manager (Dee Johnson).”
After the meeting, your reporter spoke with former City Councilman and long-time political operative Glenel Bowden about black folks being confused by white people.
Mr. Bowden said, “I’m confused all the time.”
Your reporter asked, “Who are you being confused with?
Mr. Bowden replied, “Sylvester Warren.”
Sylvester Warren (left); Glenel Bowden (right)
at the podium in City Hall.
Epilogue
Lake City/Columbia County: one just can’t make it up.
