The first step

in Fayette Community Hospital's planned expansion takes place this afternoon

as the Fayette County Commission hears a request on the hospital's request

for annexation into Fayetteville.

Hospital officials

have asked the city to annex over 27 acres into the city so it may build

"professional buildings with adjacent parking lots and landscaping,"

according to documents.

The site consists

of two parcels next to the hospital campus.

Late last month,

Fayette County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn said he was thrilled the

hospital is expanding, but doesn't quite see why the property needs to

be annexed. "This is just another way for the city to expand its

boundaries," he said.

Dunn said the

county would not have objected to extending the city's sewer line to the

adjacent property.

"I really

can't figure this. We want the hospital property to be on sewer, but don't

see any reason to change political boundaries," Dunn added.

The full commission

will discuss the request today at 3:30 p.m at the Fayette County Government

Annex on Stonewall Avenue.

Other items

on the agenda include:

Discussion

of a request by Tax Commissioner George Wingo to allow his office to accept

credit/debit card payments for ad valorem taxes.

Discussion

Educational and Demonstration Garden.

Approval of

request from Deputy Chief Allen McCullough of Fire and Emergency Services

to apply for a non-matching fund grant for a trailer and equipment/supplies

in order to expand the county's capability for a mass casualty event in

Fayette County.