Hospital board to seek bond election for new hospital

Chase County taxpayers will get the say on whether or not a new hospital will be built in Chase County.
    During a special board meeting Tuesday, the board opted to send the question to the voters versus seeking USDA Rural Development Agency funding.
    The USDA financing option would not have required a vote to move forward.
    Steve Lewis, administrator at the Chase County Community Hospital, said the board wants the process to be as transparent as possible.
    That’s why they decided on the bond election, he said.
    The board has already taken action to pursue a new facility versus adding on and remodeling the present hospital.
    They hired a firm to complete a facility study comparing the two options.
    Building a new facility proved to be several million dollars less expensive than a remodel and add-on.
    In addition, a new facility is not bound by limitations and inefficiencies of the current building.
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