Heffernan sought county funds to recover expenses
CALEXICO — The Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District made a request to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to recoup the expenses incurred for a retreat the board of trustees held in San Diego in mid-July.
As previously reported, HMHD spent more than $13,000 of public funds in a controversial retreat with the purpose of engaging in training and team building activities.
According to the minutes of the HMHD special meeting in La Jolla, the possibility of the county funding Heffernan’s retreat with the Public Benefit Program was first discussed at the retreat where county Supervisor Ray Castillo was present to give a 2-hour presentation on current county-related affairs.
He was invited by the district to give the presentation. Former HMHD consultant/grant writer Angelica Tellechea asked Castillo if the Board of Supervisors would be willing to contribute toward the retreat, according to the minutes, Castillo told the HMHD staff the county could look into providing $15,000 from the county’s Community Benefit Program. The minutes state “He expects that a $15,000 contribution toward the retreat will not be a challenge but a given.”
Castillo said Tuesday, that his justification for supporting the request at the time, was due to Heffernan working with the Area Agency on Aging in order to sponsor home-delivered meals for 23 Calexico seniors who were on the county programs’ waiting list. Heffernan contributed a total of $63,500 and the agreement between all parties was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 10.
Following the retreat, all five HMHD board members signed a letter addressed to Supervisors Castillo and District 1 Supervisor John Renison, officially requesting $15,000 to offset the cost of the retreat.
In the letter dated July 21, HMHD told the supervisors the goal of the retreat was to improve relationships between district board members and understand their collaborations with the Local Agency Formation Commission, county, the city of Calexico and other stakeholders. “In order to accomplish this goal, it was important for the HMHD Board of Trustees to receive training and information. The Trustees accomplished this first step during their three-day retreat in San Diego this past weekend, but this training did not come without a cost,” the letter states. “The trustees respectfully submit the attached grant application for your consideration where we ask for financial support to pay for the retreat costs.”
Castillo said Tuesday he supported the concept of the retreat but wasn’t aware how the public funds were managed during the trip. He was aware of the total amount of the expected expenses but wasn’t aware of other high-end purchases made by staff in attendance which was initially charged to HMHD but repaid by the individuals last month. Castillo referred to the situation as “unfortunate” and added had he known, he would’ve asked them to hold the event locally instead.
The timing of Heffernan’s request came just three days after the Board of Supervisors approved a moratorium on both the community benefit and agricultural benefit programs. The moratorium was initially expected to be for 90-days but was extended twice. The moratorium is expected to end Jan. 10.
The Board of Supervisors hasn’t officially reviewed the request because of the moratorium.