NATCHEZ — Nearly all employees of bankrupt Natchez Regional Medical Center received a cut in pay Friday ranging from 10 to 20 percent.

The cuts are part of a comprehensive improvement plan to shore up the hospital’s finances to remain operational until the hospital is turned over to new ownership, according to a NRMC press release dated Friday.

Natchez Regional released a public statement Saturday after The Democrat sought comment from hospital administrators

The county-owned hospital is in negotiations with Community Health Systems — the parent company of Natchez Community Hospital — for its purchase.

The cuts will remain in place until an expected sale date of Sept. 30.

All employees and managers will receive a 10-percent reduction in pay, while upper and some middle management levels will see a pay reduction of 20 percent, according to the release.

Employees making less than $9 an hour will not be impacted, and no employee will drop below $9 an hour in the reduction.

NRMC Chief Executive Officer Donny Rentfro said in the release the hospital would also continue to aggressively monitor overtime and look for ways of savings in other areas.

“It is important for our patients and the communities we serve to know that these cost-saving measures are being taken so that the services we provide, including equipment and supplies, are not compromised,” Rentfro said.

The end result of the cuts and sale, the release stated, will be combining the strengths and resources of the community’s hospitals, so they can work cooperatively to enhance the community’s access to physicians and specialists.

“This is by far the most difficult and painful action the board has had to take thus far in the sale process,” said Rev. LeRoy White, chairman of the hospital board, in the release. “Our employees have remained loyal, faithful, professional and patient throughout this year-long process, and they are to be commended.

“While no one wanted this to happen, we remain optimistic that this will be a temporary measure and employees will be restored to their full salary by the close of the sale.”

NRMC opened in 1960 as Jefferson Davis Memorial Hospital. Its $2.4 million construction was underwritten by an $800,000 local contribution and state and federal funds.

It has been financially independent since 1974 and does not receive tax support, but is backed by a 5-mill standby tax that the Mississippi Development Bank required in 2006 when the hospital asked for the MDB to reissue its revenue bond.

The hospital board of trustees announced in February its intention to declare bankruptcy, citing at the time a $3 million deficit between financial assets and liabilities.