• The board approved turning over an overdue account of $6,765 to a collection agency.

• The board accepted a committee report from the foundation, including the recommendation from that board to wait before launching a fund-raising campaign. At the board's last meeting, a professional firm recommended a capital campaign that would raise $1 million over five years in donations. The cost to conduct the campaign with professional advisors is estimated at $150,000.

Board member Doug Ruhland, who also serves as the chairman of the foundation, said the foundation board members believed the fund-raising campaign was doable but felt the timing wasn't right to start now. Instead, they may try to focus on a specific project, like dialysis.

• The board was informed that the Department of Health has approved a second new obstetrics suite and the renovation at the Koronis Manor, so these areas can be used again by PAHCS. The storage and meeting rooms should be done by mid-November, and the new operating room should be done by the start of December.

• Administrator Steve Moburg informed the board that PAHCS still intends to close Washburne Court as a board and care facility and switch it to assisted living, starting in January. PAHCS did let bids for renovating the building, but that bid came back more than $100,000 over their estimates.

Now, Moburg told the board, they intend to bid the project in smaller pieces and analyze the expected revenue to see which pieces they can afford to pursue. PAHCS did receive a $250,000 state grant to help convert Washburne Court to assisted living, and is committed to matching half of that, or $125,000.

Notice has been given to the residents at Washburne Court, who either can stay, if able, or will be transferred to a nursing home of their choice.

• The board was informed that the Paynesville Medical Group has hired physician assistant Janet Jacobson, who will start work in November.

• The board approved contracting with Acordia Wells Fargo Insurance Brokerage for certain employee services, as recommended by the personnel committee. Hiring this firm, which starts in January, will cost $17,000 for the coming year, but will save some internal costs and will offer some savings in rates since the broker has more leverage in negotiations than PAHCS.

• The personnel committee also reported that 16 employees were taking part in voluntary early retirement. This program will spend $110,000 in incentives to retiring employees, but will save $119,000 in salary costs. Among those taking part in early retirement is clinic manager Rosemary Devlin. PAHCS has received over 30 applications for that position.