(IRON MOUNTAIN. MI)– The Dickinson County Board of Commissioners is expected to seek legal advise concerning the closed sessions. Recently they met to discuss the sale of the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital which was apparently misinterpreted according to county controller, Brian Bousley, he stated at the Monday night meeting. Legal advise is being sought on FOIA request from Iron Mountain Mayor Dale Alessandrini. He claimed Monday night at the Dickinson County Board of Commissioners meeting the county board had met on two occasions which were illegal meetings under the Freedom of Information Act. He requested minutes of the meetings. County Controller Brian Bousley said he misinterpreted the statute and takes “full responsibility” for the closed sessions, which most recently took place at the end of the board’s regular meetings on July 9, June 25, June 11 and May 30. Each time, the board went into a private session under the premise of discussing the purchase or lease of property, which is a valid reason under the Open Meetings Act. This was times while Bellin was the believed purchaser of DCHS. That deal however fell through because of unpredicted losses by the Dickinson County Hospital. Commissioners noted Monday night they all would like to see a purchase go through. The controller pointed out Monday night he felt the meetings involving the proposed Bellin Health sale were legal. The board had sought attorney advise at that time. Then DCHS has recently signed a non-binding letter of intent with UP Health System, which is affiliated with Duke LifePoint, a venture of Duke University Health System. Monday it was brought to light by a private equity, Apollo, is acquiring LifePoint Health. Apollo is to merge LifePoint with RCCH Healthcare Partners, a 16 hospital system, bringing that total to 84-hospitals in mostly rural areas of 30-states. That could see them pay local taxes, according to Brian Bousley, the county’s controller. He noted in the future they(the Dickinson County Board of Commissioners) will be talking directly with purchaser themselves.
(Aaron Harper,WJNR,WOBE,WHTO)
aaronharper22@gmail.com