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Commissioners debate future of hospital-district facility amid long-standing maintenance concerns
Summary
Commissioners and staff spent significant time Aug. 18 discussing a hospital-district building with recurring water, sewer and structural problems; one commissioner said past memos advised staff not to perform maintenance, and members explored rental, assisted-living conversion, and financing options.
Daniels County commissioners spent an extended portion of the Aug. 18 meeting discussing the condition and future of a hospital-district facility that several participants said has long-standing water and sewer problems and deferred maintenance.
Commissioner (S3) described instances of sewer-gas odor, damaged cast-iron pipes and prior audit findings that flagged electrical hazards and other items as needing immediate attention. S3 said she had a written memo from a former staffer (Danny Schumacher, per the transcript) indicating she was told not to perform maintenance, and she argued the board had not acted sufficiently on prior audit recommendations. "I don't know if it was Dave Ryerson ... somebody, you know, directed staff, don't do any of that maintenance," S3 said, adding that repeated deferrals had left the building in poor shape.
Commissioners discussed possible next steps: developing a rental agreement for interim revenue, seeking grants or USDA loans for redevelopment, or attempting to sell the property. Commissioner (S2) referenced a successful assisted-living conversion in another community (Savage) as a potential model for grant-funded reuse; the board also discussed the possibility that the county is not structured to be a long-term landlord and that operating costs (heating, utilities) could be prohibitive.
No final decision to purchase, renovate, or demolish the facility was recorded; commissioners called for further planning, clearer financial estimates, and more information on the legal and fiscal implications before committing county funds. The transcript includes multiple expressions of frustration that prior recommendations were ignored and emphasizes the need for a maintenance plan and accountability if the county assumes stewardship.
