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Hocking County approves resolution supporting Hocking Valley Community Hospital expansion but will not underwrite debt

2216673 · January 3, 2025
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Summary

The Hocking County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 3 to adopt a resolution expressing support for an expansion at Hocking Valley Community Hospital while explicitly declining to issue a general-obligation bond or provide any financial guarantee for the project.

Hocking County commissioners on Jan. 3 adopted a resolution stating the county supports an expansion plan at Hocking Valley Community Hospital but will not issue a general-obligation bond or otherwise guarantee the hospital’s debt.

Why it matters: The resolution clarifies the county’s financial position as the hospital pursues an expansion that county staff said would benefit local health services while remaining financially independent of county liabilities.

Brandon read the resolution into the record, citing that Hocking Valley Community Hospital was established in 1962 under ORC chapter 339 and noting the hospital operates with its own governing board and independent finances. The resolution’s operative language states the commission “is not currently in a position to provide financial support, general obligation bond, or any other guarantee” for the hospital’s expansion and further resolves that the county will not issue a general obligation bond or guarantee for the project.

Brandon also told the commissioners the hospital had discussed potential USDA involvement in financing and had asked commissioners to indicate support; Brandon said the county supports the expansion concept but will not be liable for any financial obligations. The board voted to adopt the resolution; the transcript records a roll-call in which Henry Davidson, Jason Denali and Michael White voted “Yes.”

The resolution does not obligate the county to provide funds or guarantees; it records a position of support for the hospital’s expansion while clarifying the county’s limited financial role. The transcript does not include details of the hospital’s financing plan or final funding commitments beyond the hospital’s reference to federal (USDA) contacts.