(A) The board of hospital commissioners shall provide for the administration of the hospital by directly employing a hospital administrator or by entering into a contract for the management of the hospital under which an administrator is provided. When an administrator is employed directly, the board shall adopt a job description delineating the administrator's powers and duties and the board may pay the administrator's salary and other benefits from funds provided for the hospital.

(B) During the construction and equipping of the hospital, the administrator shall act in an advisory capacity to the board. After the hospital is completed, the administrator shall serve as the chief executive officer and shall carry out the administration of the hospital according to the policies set forth by the board.

The administrator shall administer the hospital, make reports, and take any other action that the administrator determines is necessary for the operation of the hospital.

At the end of each fiscal year, the administrator shall submit to the board a complete financial statement showing the receipts, revenues, and expenditures in detail for the entire fiscal year.

The administrator shall ensure that the hospital has such physicians, nurses, and other employees as are necessary for the proper care, control, and management of the hospital and its patients. The physicians, nurses, and other employees may be suspended or removed by the administrator at any time the welfare of the hospital warrants suspension or removal. The administrator may obtain physicians, nurses, and other employees by direct employment, entering into contracts, or granting authority to practice in the hospital.

Effective Date: 04-27-2005 .

Note: The amendment to this section by 129th General AssemblyFile No.10, SB 5, §1 was rejected by voters in the November, 2011 election.