In an agreement hammered out just minutes before the final vote was taken, Effingham County commissioners approved a resolution Friday to back the Effingham Hospital’s modernization and expansion plans.

By a 5-1 vote, with Chairman Dusty Zeigler casting the dissenting vote, commissioners agreed to a six-page resolution in support of the hospital’s quest to use Build America bonds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for its $30 million expansion and upgrades.

“I’m glad we’re past this point,” Hospital Authority Chairman Rick Rafter said after the vote. “I look forward to getting the loan and getting the ground broken and dedicating this hospital to the community.”

HUD has invited the hospital authority to apply for the bonds, and the bond program expires Dec. 31. Hospital authority members are expected to consider the commissioners’ resolution at their meeting Tuesday.

“I don’t anticipate any issues,” Rafter said. “We worked hard the last couple of weeks to resolve the issues between us.”

Commissioners wanted a limit on the millage rate the hospital would seek. As part of the original proposal, the hospital asked for 2 mills, per HUD guidelines, to cover the cost of indigent care.

County commissioners and staff have met repeatedly with hospital representatives over the last few weeks to come up with an agreement amenable to both sides.

“I went to bed at 2 o’clock this morning and was woken up by the phone at 6:30. It’s been like that for me for the last couple of weeks,” Commissioner Bob Brantley said. “Rick and I have talked daily sometimes, trying to get something that will work.”

For more, see Tuesday’s Herald.