Supervisors vote down MHP’s Urban Renewal Proposal in 2 – 1 decision

County Supervisors look over documents presented to them by MHP's Jay Christensen at December 20's Supervisor Meeting (photo D.Hubbard)

After months of paperwork, meetings and public hearings on the matter, the Mahaska County Supervisors voted down a proposal by Mahaska Health Partnership that would allow MHP to issue cheaper General Obligation Bonds (GO), through the County, versus the Revenue Bonds that the Hospital itself could issue.

Supervisors Greg Gordy and Lawrence Rouw voted against the proposal that could potentially saddle the County with millions of dollars in debt if MHP were to default on it’s bond payments. Willie VanWeelden voted in favor of the proposal.

Jay Christensen was disappointed in the Board of Supervisors decision. The Hospital Board of Directors will hold it’s meeting tonight at 5:30 at MHP. Christensen couldn’t comment if steps the board would need to take were planned for this evenings meeting.

Incoming Supervisor Ken Rozenboom asked the board, before the official vote was taken, that if the proposal was voted down today could the Hospital bring it back before the board at a later date.

Also brought up was the fact that the public could raise a petition for a public vote on the matter. The number of signatures and the process was currently unclear.

For more history on the subject, see our November 30th Article of the Public Hearing. http://oskynews.org/?p=7277

Also heard were monthly reports for MCARD and Miranda Johnson, Eric Dursky, Mahaska County Sanitarian. Also heard from was Mahaska County Conservations Dave Sedivec and Veterans Affairs.

Mike Brand of rural Mahaska County brought up some concerns he is having about water flowing from county property onto his. Supervisor Willie VanWeelden said he would come look at the problem and see how the county might be responsible.