Both are set for an eight-day trial from October 2023

YUMA, AZ (KECY, KYMA) – A trial date has been set for October in a lawsuit between Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and Hospital District Board One.

The parties appear in court today as they continue to discuss the details of the lease agreement.

The lawsuit has now been going on for over two years.

While some pretrial issues remain regarding discovery documents, Judge Lawrence Kenworthy has set a trial date for October 23, which runs through November 1.

The Hospital District is an elected committee of community members who manage the lease of the land on which the YRMC is built.

They allege that the hospital does not report financial information to the board as frequently as required by the lease agreement.

District Committee Chair Dr. Jeremy Currie is pleased that the case is moving forward.

“We’ve been lagging behind because the Life Points deal didn’t go through, so we’re finally on track to fix this issue,” Curry said.

YRMC has previously claimed that it is not required to provide the financial information requested by the school district.

No representatives other than the YRMC’s lawyers were present at the hearing, and the administration did not respond to requests for comment on the story.

To cover the costs of Scottsdale attorney Kutak Rock, the Hospital District says it is taxing Yuma County property owners.

Litigation costs to date have exceeded $1 million.

Local Danny Bryant says he’s willing to pay the tax so the district can defend itself for now.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll be happy paying for it forever.

A final exam administration meeting was also set for September.