Last week, Korey Boelter, a principal with the accounting firm of Clifton Larson Allen, presented the results of Northfield Hospital + Clinics audit for 2022 to the Northfield City Council. While the results of the audit were clean, and showed no irregularities, it also painted a picture of how NH+C, like every other health care system across the country, is struggling right now.
The audit showed that profit margins are down 10-15%, while accounts payable receipts are taking longer to be resolved. The Days Cash on Hand is down by a third, and the debt service ratio is below any measure that would be considered healthy.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics President and CEO Steve Underdahl acknowledged the problems earlier this month. He said the hope during the Covid-19 pandemic was that, when the dust settled, things would go back to the way they had been. However, that has not happened. While the demand for health care remains high, revenue is flat, and costs have skyrocketed due to labor issues, inflation and supply chain shortages. Underdahl said, while the organization has a strong enough foundation to weather a challenge like this, things have not gone the way he had hoped.
“This is happening all around Minnesota and all around the country. There’s a there’s a little bit of misery-loves-company solace, but not much. I think the good news for us is we’ve been a conservative organization and we’ve saved our money and we will navigate out of this. But it’s a pretty stressful moment.”
The organization is studying the problem and will take the rest of the summer to evaluate the situation. In the meantime, Underdahl said NH+C intends to focus on the core services of primary care access, emergency care, surgery and obstetrics.
Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell, who as a member of the council heard the audit presentation, said the results were not surprising, and she gave a strong vote of confidence to Underdahl and the NH+C staff.
“We all know that hospitals coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic are all struggling a little bit and ours is no exception. But we have a really great hospital board, and a great hospital administration. They’re doing their due diligence and ensuring that our hospital will be around and serving the local community for a long time.”
Underdahl’s thoughts echo the mayor’s. He said rather than looking at the organization through the lens of a five- or ten-year plan, he is working to ensure that the Northfield Hospital and its associated clinics will be a dependable resource for future generations.
Rice County Fair will pack a year’s worth of interest into five days
The Rice County Fair will begin tomorrow. Marking just past the halfway point of the summer, the fair will offer all of the traditional attractions and favorites that locals have come to expect as well as a few new entertainment options and points of interest.
The 4H Barn will be busy each day of the fair, with members of the organization showing everything from cows and swine to rabbits and llamas. Rice County Fair Executive Director John Dvorak said the 4H participants are the backbone of the Rice County Fair.
“It surely is a big operation. Let’s face it, without 4H we wouldn’t have much of a fair. They’re the reason that we do have a County Fair. Or, one of the reasons I should say. We honor agriculture here. That’s something that we keep at the forefront.”
This year, the grandstand events are starting off with the Enduro Auto races on Wednesday night. That will be followed on Thursday by Midwest All-Star Wrestling, back for their second year. The Barnes PRCA Rodeo is set for Friday night, the truck and tractor pull will be on Saturday, and things will wrap up on Sunday with the ever-popular demolition derby.
All of the Grandstand events will be ticketed, but as always, there is quite a bit of free entertainment and live music this year, including the Whitesidewalls who will be appearing at the Rice County Fair for the 18th time.
Rice County will have several informational booths set up over the fair’s five day run. The Environmental Services Department will be on hand with information about the county’s solid waste facility, ways to decrease food waste, recycling and the disposal of hazardous waste. The Public Health Department will be on hand to discuss vaccinations, the benefits of physical activity and nutrition, as well as the dangers of vaping. They will also offer a lactation space.
The Rice County Sheriff’s Office area will offer a first aid table and information about public safety. The department will once again be working with the Safe Roads Coalition on Thursday from 4-6pm, with information about impaired driving. Teenage fairgoers will be invited to play games in the Coalition booth while wearing goggles that simulate different levels of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.
The Rice County Fair begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday. The buildings open at 11am and will close at 10pm daily.
For a full schedule of all events and information on Grandstand tickets visit ricecountyfair.net.
Council to hear about 5th & Water Streets project tonight, with a focus on parking
And the Northfield City Council will meet for a work session tonight in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with one single, albeit complicated, item on the agenda
Consultants Bob Close and Bruce Jacobson will give the Council a detailed update on the Downtown Redevelopment project, and specifically the status of the 5th & Water Streets project. The presentation will touch on such varied topics as parking & mobility, economic enhancement, and public art.
As always, the City Council and the Northfield City Staff are eager to hear the opinions of the public on any matter, whether the subject is on the Council agenda or not. The meeting tonight is a work session, so the Council will not hear from the public. However, those who do wish to make a point, air an opinion or ask a question can email their councilor directly or make use of the eComment function which can be found in the “Agendas” section of the city website.
The meeting will begin tonight at 6pm.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
