Putnam commissioners declare two county-owned nursing homes surplus, set minimum sealed-bid prices

Putnam County commissioners voted to declare two county-owned nursing-home properties surplus and to set minimum sealed-bid prices after staff presented completed appraisals and commissioners debated fiduciary obligations and public purpose.

County Administrator Suggs told the board appraisals are complete for the two properties owned by the county and leased to private operators. Commissioners discussed the lease terms, which staff said include an initial term to 2032 with lessee options to renew. County Attorney Commando advised that a sale would be subject to existing lease conditions and that the statutory disposal process requires a board finding that the property no longer serves a public purpose before competitive disposal.

Commissioner Harvey said the county is not "in the nursing home business" and urged disposal to reduce taxpayer exposure to capital and maintenance risk; Commissioner Alexander and others noted past maintenance costs and the possibility that selling the properties could return them to the tax rolls. Public commenter Yvette Reyes, citing personal experience with operators, told the board: "I agree you should not be in that business… they are making a profit from us." The board discussed whether the county receives property tax revenue from the occupying entities; staff said that property-tax billing is not controlled directly by county administration and depends on taxing authorities and arrangements.

Commissioner Harvey moved to declare both properties surplus and set minimum bids. The board approved a motion declaring Crescent City and Palatka nursing homes surplus and setting minimum sealed-bid amounts at $10,000,000 (Crescent City) and $5,600,000 (Palatka). The motion passed on a voice vote with all in favor.

County staff and counsel outlined next steps: the board must make a formal public-purpose finding on the record, declare the property surplus, and then proceed through the statutory competitive-bid disposal process; staff will advise whether to set reserve/minimum bids and bring the formal public-purpose finding back to the board for finalization before soliciting sealed bids. Commissioners asked for follow-up material including title histories and additional financial details to inform any final disposal decision.

The board’s action began a statutory surplus/disposal process; it did not transfer title or change lessee operations at the time of the vote.