CCMSD moves to create new foundation

The board of trustees has moved to officially create a new foundation for Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) that will operate as an internal arm of the district.

The board voted on Friday to file the articles of incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office.

The board decided it was necessary to form an internal foundation after last year’s disagreements with the Crook County Medical Foundation (CCMF) over the Red Bluffs Clinic led trustees to feel that the goals of the two entities no longer align due to CCMF’s mandate to support healthcare in the county, rather than to support the medical district itself.

Board members expressed concern that someone who donated money to the foundation, intending it to be directed towards CCMSD, might not realize that there was nothing compelling the foundation to actually spend it on district needs.

The process of creating an internal foundation began at the beginning of this year.

Once the articles have been filed, said board attorney Kara Ellsbury of Hirst Applegate, the foundation will be recognized by the State of Wyoming. She will then work with CEO Micki Lyons and CFO Alayna Marten on the foundation’s IRS designation.

At that point, said Ellsbury, the board can begin working through the bylaws, a draft of which will be sent out to trustees to peruse before the next meeting on October 21.