Finance committee approves letter of intent on Hagemann building

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Hurley - Iron County appears interested in purchasing property in the city of Hurley to house its health department.

The Iron County Board of Supervisors' Finance Committee recommended Thursday that the full county board sign a letter of intent to purchase the former Hagemann dentist office on 5th Avenue that currently houses the NorthLakes Community Clinic's Hurley location.

The letter puts the approximate price of the property at $80,000, according to Iron County Clerk Michael Saari, which is the value the property was appraised for.

Even with whatever work is needed to make the building work best for the health department offices, board members felt the county would come out ahead by purchasing the property rather than continuing to rent the current office space at 502 Copper St.

"Even with the modifications, we should still be in the ($100,000 cost) area," board chairman Joe Pinardi said. "So within five years of rent, (the savings) should cover it."

The county pays roughly $20,000 a year in rent at the current location, according to information presented at the meeting.

Saari said the clinic, which is leasing its current space, has purchased property elsewhere in the city for a new location. If the county does purchase the former Hagemann office, the health department would move into its new home once the clinic completes its transition to the new facility, according to Saari.

In other action:

-The committee approved sending a three-year contract with the firm Makela, Pollack and Ahonen for auditing services to the full county board for approval.