County officials recently provided details about two new county positions needed to help with a potential sale of the Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick.
County Administrator Tom Rose previously declined to provide information regarding the consultant or release other details regarding pay, duties, etc., for both the consultant and part-time hospital administrator positions.
The Enterprise requested the information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
In his emailed response, Rose identified the consultant as Robert Diesel, an independent forensic accountant hired by the Patrick County Board of Supervisors to analyze the hospital’s current portfolio.
Diesel has more than 30 years experience in accounting, finance and reorganizations of multiple companies, both national and international, the email stated.
His duties with the county include analyzing the “current Stuart Pioneer Hospital’s financial portfolio or lack there of (sic) and the state it is currently in organizing balance sheets, profit loss separated from the rest of Pioneer,” Rose wrote.
Diesel also will “advise county as to the viability of the hospital per its reopening,” Rose stated, and added Diesel is being paid a salary of $10,000 per month for a limited time.
Hours are “as many as needed including weekends, obviously no less than 40,” according to the email.
Based on 40-hours of work, the pay is estimated at $62.50 per hour.
The consultant is working out of both the county administration building and the hospital, Rose stated.
Hospital Administrator Jeanette Filpi also was hired at the Oct. 16 board meeting, with hours limited to 16 per week or less.
Rose wrote that Filpi will be paid $65 per hour, and the Town of Stuart is helping fund her pay.
Her duties include finalizing patient records, assisting with licensing and helping the consultant with “current happenings and other information,” as well as disposing of information concerning the bankruptcy proceedings, as needed, the email stated.
Update:
The board voted 4 to 1 to hire the consultant, with Roger Hayden, of the Dan River District; Rickie Fulcher, of the Peters Creek District; Lock Boyce, vice chairman and of the Mayo River District; and Karl Weiss, of the Blue Ridge District, supporting the measure. Crystal Harris, board chairman, was the single nay vote.
The vote to hire the hospital administrator for a limited number of hours was unanimous.
