MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL CALLED OPEN MEETING OF THE LLANO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Thursday, February 13, 2025 PUBLIC HEARING 1. Call to Order a. The Public Hearing was called to order at 5:30 PM by president, Allen Hopson, with the following members present: Pat McDowell, Eric Schuessler, Travis Allen, Hatch Smith and Don Comedy. - J.D. Baker was absent. b. Also present was Mayor Pro Tem Kara Gilliland, Counciman Larry Sawyer and City Manager Marty Mangum 2. AI Public Hearing Regarding a Business Retention and Development Project to the Llano County Hospital Authority in an Amount up to $400,000 a. Allen introduced Judge Ron Cunningham who then spoke to the assembly and noted that he was giving the same report he had given earlier this year to the Llano County Commissioners. b. After Judge Cunningham was through, Pat spoke on improved transparency and then provided a verbal roadmap to where the hospital is today and what is known and unknown going forward. C. Pat spoke on behalf of the LEDC and the LCHA stating both groups declined to send money into a black hole, and emphasized the money would be spent and stay locally. On December 13, MidCoast made the decision to furlough 12 staff members including the CEO. This action was taken under protest by the Llano County Hospital Authority. This severe staffing reduction resulted in cessation of all operations with the exception of the emergency department. Hatch has worked full time without pay for months, a labor of love, for both him and the Board members. All through this transition, the hospital is not making any money, and the bills still need to be paid. d. Analysis $1.5-$3 million will be needed. Potential sources are the County, City, LEDC, philanthropy, and a letter of credit. 3. Public Comments a. Pat then opened the floor for comments and encouraged any other questions and discussion among all in attendance. b. Audience members who signed up to speak: Wayne DeCesaris, Angelo Palmares and Michael Herrera. 18 citizens signed the attendance sheet for the Public Hearing. And after Pat's invitation to join in the conversation, others from the audience spoke. 4. Adjourn a. With there being no further discussion, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:28 PM. SPECIAL CALLED OPEN MEETING 1. Call to Order a. With the same members present, president Allen Hopson called the Special Called Open Meeting to order at 6:28 PM. 2. Public Comments a. No public comments. 3. Discussion and Possible Action = To Approve a Business Retention and Development Project in an Amount of up to $400,000 to the Liano County Hospital Authority, and to Expend the Funds as Budgeted a. Motion was made by Pat McDowell and seconded by Don Comedy to expend a sum of $400,000.00 to the Llano County Hospital Authority to finance overhead shortfalls of the system while a new management team is transitioned into position. The total project expenditure sum includes, in part, a sum of $268,497.60 from the Business Development and Retention line item of the LEDC FY24-25 Approved Budget and Projects. This was approved by the Llano City Council on 8/5/2024; the 60-day Right to Petition began on 8/15/2024, and ended on 10/13/2024, with no opposition; and the Public Hearing for these funds was held on 9/9/2024. The remaining $400,000 is from a budget amendment to the Business Development and Retention line item of the LEDC FY 24-25 Approved Budget and Projects, said budget amendment and full description of the proposed project and total expenditure of $668,497.60 was approved by the Llano City Council on 11/4/204; the 60-day Right to Petition began on 11/13/2024, and ended on 1/12/2025, with no opposition; and the Public Hearing on these funds was rescheduled from 1/13/2025 and held today on 2/13/2025. b. Hatch Smith abstained from the vote. C. Motion was unanimously approved by remaining Board members. 4. Adjourn a. With there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 PM S4DBR J.D.Baker, Secretary/Treasurer Llano Economic Development Corporation