MAYVILLE – Two qualified offers have been received for the Chautauqua County Home. According to a published report, Absolute Care Facilities Management, LLC – based in East Aurora – and Altitude Health Services, Inc. of Chicago each placed a bid for the county home.
Absolut Care Facilities Management, which already operates two facilities in Chautauqua County in Dunkirk and Westfield, submitted a lease offer of $1.6 million a year with a purchase option at any time of $16 million. Altitude Health Services put in a bid for $16.5 million paid immediately in cash upon the closing date. Both firms, in their proposal, said they would keep salaries and benefits largely intact. But both offers were also less than the $18 million to $20 million the county was seeking; however, County Executive Greg Edwards noted the two bids are “head and shoulders” above what similar facilities are receiving on the open market.
According to a representative from Marcus and Millichap, more than 35 interested bidders inquired about the home, but these two were the only ones to make qualified bids. As stipulated in the home’s 14 purchasing requirements, any potential buyer would be required to keep the home a skilled nursing facility for at least 10 years. Current employees would also have the opportunity to retain their employment through a hiring process.
A public comment also took place prior to the meeting. Some residents discussed the livelihoods of those currently residing in home and what affect selling it would do to those currently working there. One speaker, meanwhile, voiced support for selling the facility, noting its annual losses and the multi-million dollar budget deficit the county faces next year. In total, about 20 residents were present for the special meeting.
County officials will now consider the offers put forward by both companies. A total of 16 of 25 legislators must be in support of any offer before a private firm can take over as owner of the facility.
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