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Straub CareSense seeks county help to finance new nursing home building project
Summary
Straub CareSense staff updated Emmons County commissioners on a planned replacement facility, described new state loan funding and asked the county to consider a $3 million local contribution spread over years; commissioners discussed financing options, levy limits and next steps for research and public input.
Straub CareSense representatives told the Emmons County Commission they have secured 4½–5 acres near the existing nursing home and are pursuing state-backed loan programs to build a replacement facility.
The facility representative said the state announced a new loan program for nursing-home building projects with a statewide allocation of $15 million. Applicants may seek up to $10 million on a single project under the current rules; earlier legislative language and program guidance suggest the fund will support only a small number of projects statewide. Straub’s team outlined one financing scenario that would pair a county contribution of $3 million with other lending to reach a multi‑million dollar project budget.
The Straub representative said local fundraising and operational changes have reduced staffing costs, and the facility has hired new nursing staff and CNAs to reduce traveler nurse spending. “For the next five years, [auditor-conducted] financial forecasting shows the project would pay for itself,” the representative said, adding that the facility has engaged an auditing firm to perform a feasibility study and can provide documentation to county staff.
Commissioners said the county likely lacks $3 million in unrestricted cash and that a county contribution at that scale would probably require voter approval through a levy or some other dedicated funding mechanism. Commissioners discussed options including a special countywide sales-tax vote, a capital-project levy, use of the Capital Projects Fund (which can go to 20 mills with a majority vote in some circumstances), and county bond guarantee provisions in state law for sparsely populated counties.
County staff and the Straub team agreed next steps: Straub will coordinate with county staff (including the auditor) and the Long Term Care Association to assemble precedent and application materials; county counsel and staff will research statutory options and levy/cap limits; and Straub will provide updates by email and meet with county staff on technical questions. Commissioners also suggested exploring Lewis and Clark Development (a regional development entity mentioned in the meeting) and other funding partners.
At the meeting, commissioners did not vote on making a county funding commitment. They asked staff to research legal and budgetary options, to confirm whether the county can participate (and under what authority), and to present findings as part of the next budget cycle.
Straub representatives asked that the county treat any action as part of the regular budget process and advised that state loan application deadlines are imminent for this funding round.
The CareSense representative said the program manager will send the county contact materials and that Straub will continue to pursue private fundraising and other lending while staff research county options.
