Starke County Council Approves Save The Hospital Funds For Facility Study

Posted on Author WKVI
David Pearman

The Starke County Council in a super-majority vote this week approved an amendment to the Save the Hospital Fund that would allow up to $50,000 to be used on a study that would assess the value of the property and operations of IU Health Starke Hospital. IU Health La Porte has been in a lease agreement with the county, but has expressed interest in purchasing the facility.

“We’re going to select a consultant with specific expertise and knowledge in this type of release,” said Council President David Pearman. “It has to be a similar situation where a county has decided to get out of the hospital business.”

Pearman expressed his opinion at this week’s meeting that it is probably better if the county gets out of the healthcare business.

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Starke County Council To Resume Hospital Consultant Discussion

Posted on Author WKVI
David Pearman

Starke County Council members will resume discussion tonight concerning an amendment to an ordinance that, if approved, would allow the county to use up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s real and personal property.

The Council had discussed the proposed amendment during a special meeting on May 14, but it was voted down. Council President Dave Pearman said the motion needed a five-member approval, but only gained four “yes” votes.

“The thing that I really want to reiterate about this is this is not necessarily saying that we are going to spend even one dollar to start with, but we need some enabling legislation to allow us to seek a consultant for this project to make sure that we make the wise decision for the public’s best interest,” said Pearman.

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Starke County Officials Discuss the Money Value of IU Health Starke Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI

How much is IU Health Starke Hospital really worth?

Starke County officials have agreed to hold a hearing on May 14th to consider adding an addendum to the Save the Hospital document to help answer that question. By adding an addendum to the ordinance, the officials would be able to dip into the fund to finance the hiring of a consultant firm that would place a value figure on the hospital, equipment and more.

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