Questions to be Answered in Wake of Hospital Agreement
Although an agreement has been reached, there are many questions needing answers regarding the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) between Polk Medical Center Incorporated and Floyd Medical Center.
George Anderson, from the Ethics in Government Group, asked Cedartown City Commissioners Monday night “Who is representing the citizens of Cedartown?”
According to Anderson, there is a conflict of interest because the same attorney is representing both sides of the agreement.
In a phone interview, Anderson also noted that the structure of the PILOT is such that if FMC backs out, then only PMCI can take them to court. However, PMCI is a creation of FMC.
At this point, city of Cedartown is expected to provide utilities for the hospital, and that could cost over $2 million. The city of Cedartown has made clear that they can not handle such a burden.
George Anderson also stated at Monday’s meeting that utility replacements will have to come from local government, and he called on local governments to “lock in the PILOT.”
At this time, there is only one PILOT agreement in the State of Georgia.
