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Commissioners consider future of Randolph County Care Center
North County News - March 24, 2022
The future of the Randolph County Care Center and information about a solar project were discussed at the March 18 Randolph County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Board Chairman Marc Kiehna noted that they have been in conversations with various stakeholders about what changes need to be made to the care center to benefit both the care center and the county. One of the main ideas is to add a behavioral care unit.
This topic has been previously discussed by the board, including at their July 9, 2021 meeting, where more than a dozen people were on hand to discuss the idea.
Adding a separate behavioral care unit would help address mental health and substance abuse issues in the county. And, the county could utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help pay for this project.
However, before they can move forward with the idea, the commissioners had to pass two resolutions which would place an advisory question and a referendum question on the June 28 primary election ballot.
Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker explained that per statute, as the care center was built using public funds, the county has to get public approval first. He added that the plan is to create a 501(c)(3) or similar non-profit to run both the care center and behavioral care unit, but this can’t be done unless approved by voters.
The first ordinance before the commissioners had the advisory question, “Shall the Randolph County Board of Commissioners continue to explore the transfer of the Randolph County Care Center to a government entity, healthcare provider and/or a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit for the operation of a drug treatment and mental health facility, which will require the use of ARPA funds to pay for renovations and then eventual transfer, sale or disposal of the Randolph County Care Center?”
Walker added that this is not binding, “It is more for explanation purposes, to be transparent and to gauge interest.”
The second ordinance would be a referendum question, “Shall the Randolph County Board of Commissioners be authorized to sell or dispose of the Randolph County Care Center?”
Walker explained that this ordinance would allow the commissioners the ability to create “a coalition of local community based healthcare (including mental health and substance abuse) providers to operate an inpatient and outpatient facility,” as well as allow the county to transfer over the care center to this coalition.
Kiehna added, “It makes more sense to have a board for this facility instead of one director. (The board) would have experts with best interests involved.”
Walker noted that the goal is not to get rid of the care center, but to add “much needed drug and mental rehab.”
Kiehna said that they are working with ComWell and Sparta Community Hospital, who both already provide care at the care center. “These are local companies to put together this program.”
In addition, he went on to point out that the way the building was built will work out well for the care center and behavioral care unit to be completely separate, each with their own entrance and parking lot.
“We would be able to utilize the elements we already have,” he noted. “There is a lot of positives to this.” In addition, Kiehna noted that they would be able to renovate the care center, giving upgraded facilities and better care to the residents.
“Some people don’t want to send their family here as it’s old and outdated. This would make it better and a place they want to send family,” he said.
Commissioner David Holder stated that the facility was originally built in 1949, “and much has changed since then.” He commented that a county government is limited on what they can do, or even grant funding they can get, for a facility like this. One example would have been the payroll protection funding, which the county was ineligible for.
“This requires a change in the operating entity, which will have opportunities for funding we do not have,” Holder said. “This is a good opportunity to look into additional funding sources, but in order to get to that stage, we have to ask a question on can we.”
“It started as a 100 bed and only facility in the county, now there are many others,” stated Commissioner Ronnie White. “This will make it viable.”
He added that they want the public’s opinion and will hold a public hearing prior to the primary election, so that people can ask questions, get answers and share their thoughts. “But people are welcome to reach out before then.”
It was stressed that the county does not want to get rid of the care center facility, but rather upgrade it, make it more viable and protect the jobs already there.
“The long and short is that if people want this, they would need to vote yes on both,” summed up Walker about the two questions that will now be on the primary ballot. “If people want this inject of money to update it, vote yes. And if they want to transfer it to another entity, vote yes. If you don’t want either, vote no.”
“Our motivation is pure,” added Kiehna. “We were given money (ARPA funding) and want to help the most people over time. We listened to many and they said how hard it is to deal with behavioral issues and this is a way to help.”
Published by the North County News.
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