The Montgomery City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to override a veto by Mayor Steven Reed of a resolution to fund Jackson Hospital, but that doesn’t mean the council disregarded Reed’s advice.
After overriding the veto, the council made changes to the resolution taking into account some of Reed’s suggestions when he issued the veto last week.
“This action shows the City’s leadership working together in the best interests of our residents,” Reed said in a statement. “It represents a balanced and thoughtful approach to public funding—one that supports Jackson Hospital while ensuring fiscal responsibility.”
The council struck language that outlined a 60-40 split with the city paying the majority of the financing; Reed has said the county should be responsible for the majority of financing as counties are responsible for indigent care under state law.
The original resolution dedicated $15 million from the city, but the council amended that language to instead say “up to $15 million,” leaving room for the city to provide less than the full amount.
The county voted Tuesday to provide $10 million, so if the city pays the full $15 million, it would still be providing for 60 percent of the financing on the side of the local governments. The hospital is also seeking $25 million in aid from the state and $50 million from the federal government to address deferred upgrades to the NICU, trauma and cancer facilities.
