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Glacier County accepts letter of intent with private operator to manage Glacier Care Center
Summary
The Glacier County Board of Commissioners accepted a letter of intent to negotiate a management contract with a private operator (named in discussion as Eduro/Induro) for Glacier Care Center; the LOI targets a July 1 start and staff notified state health officials to pause a planned closure notice.
The Glacier County Board of Commissioners voted April 23 to accept a letter of intent to negotiate a management contract for the county-run Glacier Care Center, also referred to in the meeting as Northern Pines. The board’s action followed an update from director Michael Kitson that the county had reached an exclusive LOI with a private operator identified in the discussion as Eduro Healthcare (the transcript includes alternate spellings). Kitson said the LOI is not a contract but provides an exclusive framework for negotiations and identified July 1 as the target commencement date.
Kitson told commissioners the new company has experience in Montana and has recently acquired other long-term care sites in the state. “This letter of intent, while it is not a contract, it does provide for exclusive discussions and contracts,” Kitson said, adding that he expected a draft contract within days and that the company and county counsel were actively negotiating terms. Kitson also said officials informed the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services of the plan to keep the facility open; he characterized that notification as preventing a planned closure announcement the following Friday.
Commissioner (second) moved to accept the LOI and Commissioner (third) seconded the motion. The chair called for a voice vote and the motion passed. Kitson credited Cottonwood, which provided interim management several years earlier, and said Cottonwood had been cooperative while the county sought a longer-term operator.
The board’s acceptance authorizes the chair to sign the LOI and continue negotiations; Kitson said staff would work on a transition plan with the incoming operator and with Cottonwood to limit disruptions for residents. Kitson emphasized that the LOI allows for detailed contract drafting and that county counsel had reviewed the LOI language.
The board did not approve a final contract at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to review the forthcoming agreement and ensure it aligns with county policies and protections for residents. Questions raised included confirmation that resident care would not be disrupted and that oversight steps would be included in the contract language. The board directed staff to circulate the draft contract when available and to return with any items requiring formal action.
