HILLSDALE COUNTY — The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners is likely to take up a bond proposal by LifeWays in the coming weeks, despite public opposition.
LifeWays, the county’s joint mental health venture with Jackson County, has asked commissioners a third time to support a $15.5 million bond proposal that would build a new facility in Hillsdale at 3310 Industrial Drive near M-99.
The commissioners rejected the first two requests in April and November 2024.
Last month, commissioners made a motion to consult with legal counsel on whether Hillsdale County would be responsible for making bond payments if LifeWays saw a funding cut from the federal government. The answer, legal said, is yes.
Commissioner Brent Leininger confirmed the findings of the discussion Wednesday. He said, while Hillsdale County could vote to dissolve their relationship with Jackson County and end LifeWays, a 1960s era statute would still require the county to provide mental health care.
Leininger, who chairs the finance committee, said “time is ticking” on a decision.
The board previously decided to end LifeWays’ lease of a county-owned building at 25 Care Drive, with plans to renovate the building for future use as the 2B District Court. LifeWays also wants out of the building, according to Leininger, to build a more suitable facility for their needs, including beds for temporary mental health inpatient care.
But ending the lease will have ramifications, Leininger said, because LifeWays pays the county over $100,000 annually in payments and other costs. The county will have to figure out how to make up that lost revenue.
Commissioners heard from scores of people April 22 opposing the bond proposal, with the only voices in support being LifeWays employees.
“This just seems like a war of attrition, where you’re going to keep bringing it up until the people get sick and tired of saying no,” said Andrea Clark of Adams Township.
Commissioner Doug Ingles said he received around 75 emails from constituents throughout Hillsdale County voicing their opposition.
The commissioners’ next steps, if they choose to proceed, will be to schedule a public hearing to solicit input on the proposal. Opponents would have time to gather signatures to force the issue onto the ballot, letting the residents of Hillsdale County decide.
The county-backed 20-year bond would allow LifeWays to save “a few interest points” rather than securing a commercial loan from a bank, saving “millions of dollars” over the course of the loan, said LifeWays CEO Maribeth Leonard.
LifeWays must come up with a funding solution soon in order to break ground and begin construction of their new facility. Their lease at 25 Care Drive expires in 17 months.
“This project is not where we hoped we’d be at this point in time, for many factors that are outside of our control,” Leonard said.
The commissioners have only three years left to vacate the Courthouse Annex Building and relocate the 2B District Court. The county closed on the sale of the building in April 2023, and must leave by 2028.
Ingles said relocating the court to Care Drive could cost around $3 million.
The Courthouse Annex Building was sold to Hillsdale Renaissance, LLC, as part of PAGO USA’s overall plan to purchase and redevelop commercial buildings in downtown Hillsdale for economic growth, new small businesses and downtown loft apartments.
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale residents don’t want LifeWays bond — but it could happen anyway
Reporting by Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
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