Jasper County pledges its intent to donate $320K to hospital ER project

Jasper County has officially signed its statement of gift intent for the emergency room project at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.

Jamey Robinson, director of Jasper County Emergency Management Agency, told the board of supervisors that he spoke with the chief operating officer at the hospital to make sure the project was progressing and ensure the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would not go to waste.

“Things are progressing,” Robinson said at the Aug. 26 board of supervisors meeting. “One of the things (MercyOne Newton COO Chad Kelley) asked about was a statement of gift intent to be completed and submitted just so they have some official records saying, yes, we do plan on giving you $320,000.”

Robinson noted the hospital wants to recognize the county and the board of supervisors for their donation of ARPA funds towards the project, such as a plaque in the new emergency room. Robinson also noted that by approving the statement of gift intent, the county is not writing a manual check at the moment.

Jasper County EMA will continue working alongside MercyOne Newton to make sure the project is making progress and that county funds are going to be used the way the county wants. Supervisor Brandon Talsma said the county can cut the check for the hospital as soon as it breaks ground on the project.

“It’s going to be a great addition to our community,” Robinson said.

The supervisors approved the statement of gift intent in a 3-0 vote.

Jasper County earmarked the ARPA funds toward the project back in 2023. The city recently pledged $50,000 towards the $5 million emergency room renovation. The emergency department at the Newton hospital was built in 1971 and was last renovated in 1994. Efforts to expand the ER started in 2019.

Infrastructure and design limitations are impacting staff efficiency and, most important, patient care. The hospital cited insufficient treatment space and triage areas, lack of negative pressure rooms for infection control and inadequate exam room sizes as major hurdles.

Coupled with the growing behavioral health demands and the concerns about noise and privacy due to the cramped layouts, officials emphasized the need for an expansion of the existing facilities. The ER receives more than 10,000 patient visits every year and is the sole emergency care provider in Jasper County.

The renovation of the ER has been identified as a top community health need, and the city supports that need and has called it an “essential investment” in the health and safety of the community. The City of Newton proposed a contribution of $50,000 to the local hospital’s capital campaign back in July.