The public asks questions about the hospital's administrative costs

How much money is Winneshiek Medical Center paying Mayo Clinic Health Systems to run the hospital?  That was the question asked by several members of the public at Wednesday's hospital board meeting.  The question was raised as the hospital board continues negotiations with Mayo on a Management Services Agreement.

Hospital officials placed the administrative costs at "slightly over" $140,000 a year, plus the salaries of the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer.

But when Decorah resident Ed Brooks asked the board what those five salaries were, he was told the board would not disclose them.  "I'm not hired as a public employee, although I work at a public hospital," new Chief Administrative Officer Gretchen Dahlen explained.  Chief Financial Officer Lynn Luloff said she didn't have the figures at hand, but guessed the five salaries totaled "maybe half a million dollars."

Former Chief Administrative Officer Dave Rooney said if Brooks wanted the information, he would have to send a letter to the hospital requesting the information and then hospital officials would check with their legal counsel as to whether the figures needed to be released.

Brooks said he was frustrated with the board's answer, but promised to send such a letter.