Cooper Green Mercy Hospital has immediate financial needs of almost $9 million, far greater than the $3.5 million previously reported.

The revelation comes after the county manager’s office reviewed the hospital’s finances.

Cooper Green is running a deficit 'in the millions.'

What’s more, the commission is expected to hear in its Tuesday meeting that there are two accounts set up by a previous commission’s administrative order. Those accounts did not require previous approval from the commission for expenditures.

“It’s my understanding they were set up as sort of petty cash accounts, but they turned into something different,” Finance Committee Chairman Jimmie Stephens said Monday.

Stephens said he had been briefed on the problem and did not expect a rosy reception for the news on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to favor spending anymore good money after bad,” Stephens said. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t do it. Their business model is going to have to change.”

In June 2011, the commission told hospital administrators that the county could no longer supplement the hospital with its general fund, which had been crippled after losing the occupational tax.