Marion County court adopts county-only resolution backing proposed rural hospital project

The Marion County Commissioners Court voted to adopt a county-only resolution supporting Pexium Health Systems' proposed rural hospital project after removing previously drafted joint-city language. The presiding county judge said he would sign the revised resolution on behalf of Marion County.

The resolution recognizes the proposed projectas important to the county's health and economic development and states the commission will coordinate with state and federal agencies and advocate for grant funding and private investment. Court members discussed redrafting the document to remove references to the City of Jefferson and present a resolution solely from the Marion County Commissioners Court.

Officials said the resolution is intended to position the county to work collaboratively with Pexium and to encourage funding entities to consider the proposal. No city action on the draft resolution was reported at the meeting; the court limited its action to Marion County's endorsement and authorization for the county judge to sign.

The motion to approve the revised resolution passed following a motion and a second. The court did not set a separate funding commitment in the meeting; it framed the move as advocacy and coordination pending any formal project proposals and related approvals.