TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Elected officials, business leaders and others gathered at a NEBA luncheon on Tuesday to hear Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey provide updates on hot topics at city hall.<\/p>\n
One notable topic of conversation was the FSU-TMH partnership, something Mayor Dailey threw his full support behind.<\/p>\n
On FSU Health, Mayor Dailey said he \u201cis strongly in favor\u201d of the sale and that \u201cit\u2019s the right way to go.\u201d <\/p>\n
Critics of the deal worry that giving up ownership of the hospital would open the door for political interference of a drop off in charity care.<\/p>\n
While Dailey said a \u201cvariety of MOUs\u201d had been signed, a statement from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said the board of directors had not reviewed or approved any new MOUs concerning additional board seats. <\/p>\n
\u201cTMH will not support or accept any arrangement that alters the agreed-upon structure or results in state, higher education representatives holding a majority of seats on the new board,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
That statement from TMH came after the mayor\u2019s address at the Capital City Country Club, and signals that a FSU Health partnership may not actually be a done deal.<\/p>\n
At its last meeting, the City Commission voted 3-2 to advance the sale of TMH to FSU, and another vote will be scheduled. <\/p>\n
Dailey said the final sale price is still being negotiated.<\/p>\n
Dailey reiterated that the hospital would remain publicly owned, seeking to quell fears as he briefed the business community on a host of issues.<\/p>\n
\u201dThey will accept everybody that walks through the doors, indigent care, Medicaid, Medicare, everybody that wants to come to the public hospital will be accepted. Nothing will change. I don\u2019t know how I can be any more clear,\u201d Mayor Dailey said.<\/p>\n
The TMH-FSU merger has been a hot topic since the pair announced their agreement to create an academic health center<\/a> last month. <\/p>\n A Memorandum of Understanding between TMH and FSU stated that TMH would always retain a majority of the board seats, but FSU would gain seats over time. <\/p>\n FAMU and Tallahassee State College also got a seat at the table<\/a>, but it had been unclear if TSC\u2019s seat would come out of TMH or FSU\u2019s allotment of board seats.<\/p>\n Tuesday afternoon\u2019s statement from TMH seems to clarify that TMH won\u2019t agree to a deal that gives the state majority control, even if that\u2019s supported by the mayor.<\/p>\n Other topics at Monday\u2019s luncheon ranged from the Capital City Country Club sale to Washington Square.<\/p>\n Capital City Country Club Sale<\/p>\n Mayor Dailey addressed the potential sale of the Capital City Country Club, which has been an ongoing discussion in the capital city. <\/p>\n The city currently owns the property, but the country club wants to buy it; however, critics are worried about the efforts to preserve the graves of formerly enslaved people found on the property. <\/p>\n Mayor Dailey said they need to \u201chonor\u201d the formerly enslaved people buried at the country club, but provided no explanation as to why a memorial wasn\u2019t built back in 2021, though one will be built next year.<\/p>\n The commission previously voted for a potential sale to be reconsidered later, alongside other options, and they voted down a staff recommendation to authorize the sale.<\/p>\n Washington Square<\/p>\n The mayor was also asked about the Washington Square project, which has become downtown\u2019s biggest eyesore. <\/p>\n A NEBA member asked what would become of the site. The mayor mentioned a private investment, but nothing specific. <\/p>\n Mayor Dailey said he doesn\u2019t know if the concrete will come down, but suspects it will. <\/p>\n The city is trying to foreclose the property.<\/a> Some construction work was happening on the site last week<\/a>, leading to road closures.<\/p>\n The developer previously told WCTV they plan to finish the project even in light of the foreclosure suit and growing animosity from both local governments.<\/p>\n Fire Fees<\/p>\n The topic of fire fees was touched on briefly. Mayor Dailey said he\u2019s always open to negotiating. <\/p>\n The city commission voted 3-2 to stop providing firefighters<\/a> to unincorporated Leon County in three years as part of a long-running disagreement about fire fees.<\/a><\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n