The second of five town hall meetings will be held Monday night in WaKeeney to explain the financial crunch facing the Trego County Lemke Memorial hospital.

County commissioners have already approved the issuance of $1.8 million in no-fund warrants.  A one-percent sales tax proposal will also be placed on an upcoming election ballot.

Administrator Harold Courtois says the budget deficit resulted when the hospital’s Medicare reimbursement rates were lowered, as well as other reductions.  The hospital has cut expenses, including employee layoffs, which should save about $700,000 through the end of this year.

Money from the no-fund warrants must be repaid through a four-year mill levy, which is expected to amount to about 8 mills.

Three more town hall meetings will be held this month: January 10, 28 and 31.  Each meeting begins at 7p.m. in the WaKeeney Western Electric Cooperative Community Room.