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Scott County voters OK nursing home project
Published 11/4/2009 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
Scott County voters approved a $5.75 million bond issue Tuesday to pay for the expansion and renovation of Park Lane Nursing Home.
The bond issue passed 906-302, with voters approving a project that will include renovations such as a new kitchen and construction of a new wing with more private rooms to provide comfortable, home-like settings for residents. Other renovations will include new lighting, flooring and heating and cooling systems.
The Scott County Clerk's office reported voter turnout at 38 percent of the county's 3,205 registered voters.
The Scott County Public Building Commission will issue the revenue bonds. Jerry Korbe, CEO of Scott County Rest Home Inc., which operates Park Lane, said he's pleased at the result of the issue and humbled by the margin.
"I would have been happy with a 60 to 40 margin. This was way beyond our expectations," Korbe said. "To have a wider margin shows more support and makes us feel positive about the project."
Scott County Clerk Pam Faurot said property tax increase breaks down to about a $70-per-year tax increase for homeowners of properties valued at $100,000, and $185-per-year increase for commercial property owners of properties valued at the same price.
In late September, Scott County voters approved a $24 million bond issue for a new county hospital. In August 2008, they voted to authorize $4.29 million for a new county jail.
In the past decade, Scott County voters also have approved bonds for renovating the courthouse and a $14.75 million addition and renovation of the high school.
Korbe said the voting patterns of Scott County residents show the community is positive and progressive.
"They're willing to build for the future. These people are willing to move forward so there's growth and hope for the future. With everything that's been done in the past decade, it's very positive and humbling," he said. "We're thankful and grateful to the voters."
Korbe expects construction on the project to begin by late spring or early summer.
Park Lane, the county's only care home, has 66 residents and a licensed capacity of 74. With the conversion of some semi-private rooms to private rooms, the capacity is expected to remain the same or decrease slightly.
The Hutchinson News contributed to this report.
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