Possible June ballot to approve affiliation

Voter approval needed for plan to finish hospital

Bond money for the Tehachapi Hospital construction in Capital Hills may run out in November, seven months before it's slated for completion, according to a project manager report.

And that's not the only thing facing the hospital.

Stacey Pray, the project manager retained by Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District, noted at the Feb. 12 district building and committee meeting that unless the hospital secures some additional funding, the hospital construction may not be finished.

Pray said at the Feb. 12 committee meeting that she plans to stop construction at $5 million for wind down and contractor retention purposes.

The project faces a $14.7 million projected shortfall, including construction and equipment. The district's board of directors decided in October to phase out the construction of the hospital. The exterior would be completed, along with emergency care, surgery center, radiology and the kitchen. Obstetrics, intensive care, the public dining and cafeteria and administration will remain shells.

That $14.7 million includes a fully equipped surgery center, which needs to be included in the scope per California Department of Public Health since TVHD had listed it as one of the services it could offer. Pray said the district could only partially equip the surgery suite, driving down costs.

The district has spent $37.9 million to date from approximately $66.7 million in bond revenue funding the construction.

The hospital has a $83 million price tag, including construction and equipment. Pray told committee members that had the district built out the entire hospital lock, stock and barrel, it would cost close to $92 million.

Eugene Suksi, the district's chief executive officer, said that while the district might run out of bond money, the district affiliation process may offer a reprieve.

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Possible June ballot to approve affiliation