What happened: The Midland County Hospital District Board of Directors met on Wednesday, Aug. 28, to review the proposed fiscal year 2026 tax rate, hear quality improvement updates, and discuss upcoming changes in emergency department staffing and accreditation follow-up.

Key points:

  • Budget and tax rate: The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes total revenue of $458.4 million, an increase of $9.5 million from last year. Most of that comes from patient services, which are projected at $311.9 million, up $11.4 million. Property tax revenue totals $49.4 million, about $2.4 million higher than last year, and sales tax revenue is expected to reach $37.7 million, up $0.4 million.

Total expenditures are projected at $451.6 million, an increase of $13.4 million. Salaries, wages, and benefits make up $191.7 million of that total, while operating costs account for $187.9 million. Another $43.2 million covers capital financing, which includes depreciation and interest, and $28.8 million supports the hospital’s physician network.

  • Quality improvement: The board received an update from the Quality Improvement Committee, which reported continued work to strengthen patient care standards and operational consistency. Administrators highlighted the district’s “daily leadership huddle” system, which brings together department leaders each morning to identify challenges and resolve issues quickly.
  • Emergency department transition: Hospital President and CEO Russell Tippin announced that emergency department physician staffing will transition to Team Health on Sept. 1. Tippin said the change is designed to enhance emergency care coverage, improve recruitment, and ensure long-term stability in a critical hospital department.
  • Accreditation and ratings: Hospital leaders also reported ongoing work on DNV action plans addressing accreditation findings. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updated hospital star ratings, and staff will be reviewing the data to identify opportunities for improvement and build a targeted action plan.

Editor’s note:Meeting minutes are not released until board approval at the following meeting. As a result, The Permian Press could not access the August 28 minutes until after the September 25 meeting.