Published: October 12, 2008 10:17 pm      

Panels approve Memorial payments

Three local governmental entities have approved a deal with Johnstown’s Memorial Medical Center requiring that the hospital pay more money in lieu of property taxes.

Johnstown City Council, Greater Johnstown school board and Cambria County commissioners have voted in favor of the new pact, under which Memorial will pay a combined $500,000 annually to the governmental bodies.

The hospital had paid a total of $400,000 annually before the city and school district initiated a legal challenge last year, saying Memorial – which as a nonprofit does not pay taxes on most of its properties – was not handing over enough cash.

The five-year agreement means the city and school district each will get $202,500 a year, with the county receiving $95,000.