Commissioners asked to approve bond issuance

Geisinger: Sole obligation of bond will be on facility

LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County Commissioners will be asked to sign off on a finance plan by the Geisinger Authority during its regular business meeting next Thursday.

Several representatives of Geisinger Health (formerly Geisinger Health System Foundation) were on hand at Thursday's workshop session to explain the financing plan that includes a bond issue totaling $850 million.

David Cutright, Geisinger's director of treasury operations, said the authority is required to seek approval from each county Geisinger serves in order for the bond issue to proceed.

"The authority would be the issuer of the bonds," Cutright explained. "The sole obligation will be Geisinger Health. The county will not be responsible. Residents will not be obligated to pay principal or

interest on the bonds."

Cutright said the bond issue is being sought for two purposes: $285 million in new debt for new equipment and projects, and the remainder for possible refinancing of existing debt, should the market be favorable at the time of the bond issue.

"The issuance is anticipated to take place in late spring with a maturity date of 30 years," Cutright added.

Kirk Thomas, vice president of clinical operations at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, said since the merger with Geisinger, millions of dollars have been invested locally, including recent renovations of the emergency department, Big Valley Medical Center, and upgrades of the facility's IT system.

"These things have already occurred and it shows the commitment Geisinger has to this community," Thomas said.

Cutright offered statistics about the local health care facilities, including the fact that Geisinger-Lewistown currently employs 1,186 individuals, 934 of which are Mifflin County residents; in 2016 its facilities served 476,000 outpatient cases, 5,700 inpatient activity cases, and over 35,000 unique Mifflin County resident visits.

"I'd like to thank you for being in our community," Commissioner Lisa Nancollas said following the presentation. "I certainly appreciate Geisinger."

Commissioner Stephen Dunkle additionally voiced his thanks.

"I would like to thank Geisinger for the upgraded Big Valley facility," Dunkle said. "I have availed myself of that facility quite a lot over the last 30 years."

Commissioner Kevin Kodish thanked Geisinger for its recent upgrades to the emergency department.

"I was there with my mother recently and we received good care quickly," Kodish said. "I would like to thank you for your commitment to our community."

In other business Thursday, Nancollas reviewed the following additional agenda items slated for a vote next Thursday:

¯ Recommendations for the use of the county's 2017 Marcellus Legacy Fund projects, which include playground equipment at the Reedsville Playground in the amount of $10,000, Kish Park electrical upgrades in the amount of $10,300, replacement of pavilion roofs at Rec Park in the amount of $3,900, and partial funding for new bleachers in Burnham and a streetscape project in Juniata Terrace.

¯ Results from request for qualifications for a lead-based inspector/risk assessor to provide asbestos and radon testing services for approved Community Development Block Grant funded housing rehabilitation projects. Doug Marks, housing rehab specialist, said lead-based paint inspections have been going on for years, however, new state regulations also require asbestos and radon testing in homes built prior to 1978. He said the recommended firm to negotiate a contract with is Affordable Services of Pittsburgh.

¯ Passage of an ordinance authorizing the execution and entry into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the county and Brown, Derry and Granville townships, and Lewistown Borough, for the county to administer projects covered by the CDBG program.

¯ Ratification of an agreement with United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO for the years 2017-20.

¯ The hiring of Theresa Bottorf as a part-time cook at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility effective March 6.

¯ A proclamation designating March as "American Red Cross Month."