York County receives bids of $26M-$32M for Pleasant Acres nursing home

David Weissman

York Dispatch

If the York County Commissioners decide to sell Pleasant Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the county could receive up to $32 million, based on submitted bids.

From right, Susquehanna Group Advisors Managing Director Jay Wenger and York County Solicitor Glenn Smith confer while York County Commissioner Chris Reilly looks on following the opening of sealed bids, for review by York County Commissioners, for the possible sale of county-owned Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at York County Administrative Center in York City, Thursday, March 15, 2018. Dawn J. Sagert photo

The six bids were unsealed and announced Thursday, March 15, after the deadline passed at 11 a.m.

The bids ranged from $26 million to $32 million for the county-owned nursing home, with the high bid coming from Allaire Health Services.

Some of the bidders also submitted proposals for the York County Annex, which currently houses the county coroner's office, conservation district and a magisterial district court office.

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The county officially began looking into a possible sale in late January, when it entered into an agreement with Susquehanna Group Advisors "to explore the possibility of finding a reputable, quality skilled-care operator to acquire" the nursing home.

Jay Wenger, managing director of the Harrisburg-based firm, said the next step is to fully review each company's bid to ensure it meets requirements as set by the county's Request for Proposal before setting up interviews, assuming commissioners want to move forward.

He has said the entire process would likely last six to nine months, meaning a decision on selling the home likely won't come until at least August.

Wenger said he was expecting bids to be about $30 million for the 375-bed facility, and he added that his firm has previously worked in some capacity with four of the six bidders.

Premier Healthcare, which bid $28.6 million for Pleasant Acres, purchased county-owned nursing homes in Armstrong and Washington counties last year.

Other bidders were Comprehensive Healthcare Management, Spring Creek Rehab and Nursing, Stirling LLC and Longterm Care Management LLC.

More:Residents to commissioners: Don't sell Pleasant Acres

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Commissioners have discussed the possibility of selling the nursing home for many years as the taxpayer burden has increased to about $7.5 million per year.

The county has held two public town-hall meetings on the issue, and residents have roundly criticized the idea of privatizing the home. During the March 7 meeting, some residents encouraged commissioners to put the decision up for a vote.

Donetta Landis, of East Manchester Township, said she visits her 91-year-old mother at Pleasant Acres every day, and she will fight to keep the center open and in public control.

Donetta Landis, 72, left, confers with her husband James Landis, 71, both of East Manchester Township, as sealed bids are opened for York County Commissioners to review for the possible sale of county-owned Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at York County Administrative Center in York City, Thursday, March 15, 2018. "We're very interested in saving this county home," said Donetta, who's mother Helen Stonesifer, 91, has been a resident at Pleasant Acres for about 13 months. The Landis' are concerned for other residents at the home. "Most of them don't have money; most of them live paycheck to paycheck," she added. Dawn J. Sagert photo

Landis, who attended the bid unveiling with her husband, said she moved her mother to Pleasant Acres from a private facility where she wasn't happy with her care, and the county-owned home has given her great treatment.

President Commissioner Susan Byrnes has said the county is exploring numerous ways to reduce expenses or increase revenues in an attempt to offset taxpayer subsidies and keep Pleasant Acres.

The final scheduled town hall is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at Central York High School, 601 Mundis Mill Road in Springettsbury Township.

— Reach David Weissman at dweissman@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @DispatchDavid.