MAYVILLE - The first official step to privatize the Chautauqua County Home is in the books.
The legislature's Human Services Committee this evening approved a resolution authorizing County Executive Greg Edwards to begin contract negotiations with Altitude Health Services for the sale of the County Home.
Altitude Health offered $16.5 million for the 216-bed facility.
The resolution will now be discussed Thursday during a meeting of the legislature's Audit and Control Committee. The full legislature will then take it up an hour and a half later in a much-anticipated special meeting.
The legislation, signed by 10 legislators and the county executive, is the only item on the agenda.
Legislators on Wednesday to support contract negotiations for the sale of the home include committee chairman Mark Tarbrake, R-Ellicott; Vince Horrigan, R-Bemus Point; John Hemmer, R-Westfield; and Victoria James, D-Jamestown.
Tim Hoyer, D-Jamestown, was the lone no vote.
See Thursday's edition of The Post-Journal for complete coverage.