Discussion surrounding the Pleasant View Rest Home was held during the Pulaski County Council meeting last night.
Larry Rausch, who is a county home board member, said their number one priority is keeping the county home open and realizes there is some work that needs to be done. He said if the county home is deemed a historical structure, grants would be available to assist the county in getting these repairs done. He also had another option.
“You always want to have a Plan B,” said Rausch. “Can we sell part of the farm ground to make these improvements? I don’t know if that’s something to consider. I think first we need to wait until Jan. 21 and see how this is all going to pan out. I do want to know if that’s a possibility or an option.”
Jan. 21 is the date in which the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology would determine whether or not to recommend the county home for placement in the National Register of Historic Places.
Commission President Larry Brady explained that there is information in the RCAP contract that the county home has to stay open up until 90 days after the last resident leaves the facility, if the county council plans to close the facility. The state has to be notified and then when alternate housing has been found for all identified residents the county home can be closed. The portion of the contract, provided by the auditor’s office, can be found here: RCAP Contract
If the county council plans to move forward with plans to close Pleasant View Rest Home, the county would need to continue to pay the necessary operating bills at the county home as long as its occupied.
County Councilwoman Alex Haschel made the county aware that she will bring a motion to the December meeting to rescind the council’s previous decision to eliminate the county home’s budget in 2015. She feels the decision was made too hastily.
“I had the pleasure of sitting in this public meeting on Thursday. Unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of sitting in the meeting when that decision was made. Even though I wasn’t here I would like to this time to rescind that decision on closing the county home,” commented Haschel.
Council President Jay Sullivan said the motion will need to pass by a two-thirds majority vote at the next meeting.
No decisions were made on several items of discussion during the meeting. The next Pulaski County Council meeting is Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. ET in the second floor meeting room in the Pulaski County Courthouse.
