COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Community Health Center of Branch County employee once again Tuesday asked the Branch County Board of Commissioners to delay the take over of the hospital by Promedica Health System of Toledo, because 32 hospital employees will not be able to draw early retirement benefits.
Terry LaPratt said information was being hidden from the commissioners.
Hospital President and CEO Randy DeGroot said during last Thursday’s work session that the original asset purchase agreement allowed for access of early retirement benefits but it has been replaced by a joinder agreement, and according to the Municipal Employees Retirement System, that access is no longer available.
The sale is scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2018.
Action by county commissioners on various documents necessary for the merger is scheduled to take place during their next regular meeting November 28, 2017.
In other business, the Commissioners approved a quote of over $5,100 from Safety Systems for security card readers at the Courthouse and Annex.
They also approved two percent wage increases for non-union and non-union management employees for 2018.
