Park County commissioners voted to deny renewal of Northwest Healthcare’s lease in the county annex but approved a time-limited extension through Dec. 31, 2025, to give the provider an opportunity to relocate.

Commissioners said their concern centers on liability and privacy risks when a medical provider conducts clinical services — including specimen collection and some tests — inside a county office building shared with other county employees. Commissioner Simone said the presence of a provider who diagnoses, orders tests and prescribes treatment in county office space raises HIPAA and liability considerations that differ from public health nursing services carried out under state agreements.

Michelle Gutierrez, executive director of Northwest Healthcare, told the board the organization moved to the annex after its Powell facility closed and that its operations are electronic, with records stored in an electronic medical record (EMR) system. Gutierrez said the provider has been compliant and that the clinic provides services such as STI screening, contraceptive services and other outpatient care on set days in the annex. She said there may be limited alternate space in Powell and asked for time to find a new site.

Commissioner (name not specified) moved to deny renewal of the lease while providing an extension through Dec. 31, 2025. The motion passed by voice vote. Commissioners discussed offering flexibility if Northwest Healthcare notifies the county of an earlier relocation and said they would reconsider circumstances if appropriate information were presented.

County staff said Northwest Healthcare had been operating on a month-to-month basis since the lease expired and that the request to extend was prompted by both questions about the lease rate structure and the change in service hours proposed by the provider. The board instructed staff to prepare documentation reflecting the temporary extension and to coordinate on transition timing if the provider finds alternate space sooner.