A potential wrench in Marinette County’s plan to acquire the Crossroads juvenile facility without displacing current residents. County Administrator John Lefebvre informed the county’s Health and Human Services Board Tuesday that the Group Home Association offered the sale of Crossroads, along with several pieces of existing equipment and vehicles, at a price of $275-thousand and asked the closing of the property be effectuated by June 15th. Group Home previously had the property appraised at $220-thousand. Lefebvre says the county’s intention was only to purchase the building and the land it’s located on and he doesn’t have the authority to negotiate for the extras.
Health and Human Services Director Robin Elsner says if an agreement can’t be reached in a timely manner, he’ll have to temporarily relocate the facility’s five residents at a much higher cost to the county.
The county has submitted a counter-offer to Group Home. Lefebvre says if that offer is accepted, Crossroads will remain open and the new service provider, Advocates for Healthy Transitional Living, will take over care of the residents.