FORT MILL -- When the Fort Mill Town Council said a few weeks ago it would support any company willing to build a hospital in town, it apparently meant to say any company that would contribute to the bottom line.

The council ultimately voted 5-2 Monday night in favor of a Certificate of Need Application Presbyterian Health Care filed with the state health department, but not after a long debate over the intent behind its previous declaration.

"My recollection is that if it was all things being equal," the council would welcome any bids to bring a hospital to Fort Mill, said Councilman Ken Beam.

But as a not-for-profit entity, "Presbyterian pays no taxes. They might as well build it in Rock Hill," Beam said.

Beam and Councilman Waddell Gibson cast the only nay votes.

With Tenet - one of four companies that filed a Certificate of Need to build a new hospital in York County - however, "We have an opportunity to bring a million-and-a-half dollars a year into the Fort Mill School District by endorsing a tax-paying entity within town limits. If individuals want to support it, let them write letters. I can't see us as a town council supporting a hospital that does not bring an equal benefit," Beam said.

Two months ago the council voted to support Tenet's proposal. Initially,, council members Grady Ervin, Ken Starnes and Guynn Savage withheld their votes in favor of the resolution, saying they liked the idea of a hospital in town, but they didn't want to deter other companies from filing similar applications.

Since then, Presbyterian, Hospital Partners of America and Carolinas HealthCare all followed suit. All but the last one have identified sites in Fort Mill Township. The property Tenet wants to build on is being annexed by the town.

Later, council members said they would back any plan that calls for building inside the town, either through annexation or otherwise.

"We need the tax revenue, not doubt about it," Starnes said. "It's a valid point. Absolutely, but I want us to be as good as our word."

Most council members and Mayor Charles Powers expressed similar sentiments.

"I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Beam," he said. "Most of us worry about the school system as well, but our word is important."

Savage said despite who the council backs, it's the state health department that will ultimately pick the winning applicant.

"I think our endorsement is as valuable as the paper it's written on," she said.

Nodding to the idea that the council doesn't want to give the impression that it goes back on its word, Beam nonetheless held his ground.

"I appreciate that folks have to do what they think is best, but I have to do the same myself," he said.