County passes resolution on building fund for ATC move

At the June 14 County Commissioner meeting, Addiction Treatment Center’s Rick Pfeiffer said if the center were to be relocated to Pittsburg, he was willing to work with the county and City of Girard to ensure the old building would not sit empty. (PHOTO Crawford County, Kansas government website)

At the June 24 County Commissioner meeting, commissioners passed a resolution to establish a special building fund that would allow the Addiction Treatment Center in Girard to make the move to Pittsburg.  (PHOTO Crawford County, Kansas government website)

BY ALEX BATTITORI
alex@hometowngirard.com

The board of Crawford County Commissioners passed a resolution in their meeting Friday, June 24, to establish a special building fund that would allow the Addiction Treatment Center in Girard to make the move to Pittsburg.
The move will cost an estimated $1.2 to 2.1 million.
Resolution 2016-014 stated:
“A resolution establishing a special building fund for the purpose of providing additional space for a residential community mental health center of Crawford County for addiction and crisis stabilization services in Pittsburg, Kansas.”
Commissioners Moody and Wood voted yes to pass the resolution, while Commissioner Murphy voted no. Murphy stated, “I would feel more comfortable funding one-quarter of the cost, which would cover the cost to build the crisis unit. I would also like to see a good plan in writing for the adolescent facility in Girard.”
Health Department and LEPP representative Rick Pfeiffer presented the proposal to the commissioners. The adolescent facility would be a potential replacement for the ATC in order to ensure the building would not sit empty after the move to Pittsburg.
The building fund will be created through an annual tax levy of one-half mil, which will exist for a period not to exceed 10 years. The county-raised funds for the project will not exceed a total of $1 million.
Pfeiffer’s organization will be responsible for raising half of the funds. If they cannot raise the funds within a period of two years, the funds raised by the county will be absorbed into the general building fund.