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UNIONVILLE, MO. -- The Putnam County Memorial Hospital community is ecstatic over its big election win Tuesday night.

Voters approved a measure to allow the Putnam County Commission to refinance and renovate the county hospital by issuing $7.6 million dollars worth of general obligation bonds. The bonds will help pay for the hospital's $7.2 million debt and pay for the new geriatric ward.

Voters gave the issue overwhelming support with more than 1,064 approving the issue and nearly 491 disapproving the measure. CEO Cindy Cummings and COO Jerry Cummings said they're pleased with the results.

"I think if you'd walk around the hospital today, you'd see everybody with smiles on their faces," said Cindy Cummings.  "Everybody's doing the big "hee-haw" because our whole staff community as well as our board has realized what a difference this would make in our cash revenue/ cash flow here at the hospital."

"I was surprised because prior to us coming here, there was a lot of uproar in the community...citizens not getting along with citizens, with what to do and everything so I was a little concerned that this would roll over into this bond issue but thankfully, it did not," said Jerry Cummings.  "The support has been phenomenal."

Putnam County Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Jerry Cummings said the hospital will now save $3-4 million dollars, due to the interest rates on the hospital's debt being cut some four percent. Cummings said the next step is to begin issuing bonds, which he expects to take place in September and to be completed by October.

"Once that happens, we will pay off the existing revenue bonds, plus we'll have enough money, about $750,000, for renovation for the new psychiatric in-patient program starting the first of January and then we'll have enough money to put in the bank to at least have a whole year in advance for payments."

Cummings said the hospital plans to re-open its surgery department, and begin an outpatient psyche program Aug. 27.

Here's a previous article that has an in-depth at the new bond issue.