This is definitely not the way hospitals like to spend their money. It looks like SynergyHealth St. Joseph's Hospital of West Bend, WI will have to pay a $1.08 million water and sewer connection fee to a neighboring village after losing a legal battle. In 2003, the hospital had signed a contract with the village to provide the hospital with water and sewer connections. Later, though, hospital execs refused to pay the fees associated with the contract, arguing that the charges weren't legal under Wisconsin state law. The hospital contends that it was forced to agree to the fees or it would never have gotten a building permit. However, an area court and the state's Court of Appeals has rejected that argument, ruling that the contract was legal and must be honored.
To learn more about the case:
- read this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel piece