Lee County HD moving into John Bennett

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON –The Lee County Health Department has found a home, at least for the next three years.

After a bond referendum failed May 2 to build a new $2.6 million building, health department officials went to work to find a new home.

An air quality issue forced them out of their former building in Fort Madison.

SCHILLING

According to LCHD Director Julie Schilling, the health department will be signing a lease with the Iowa Department Of Corrections to use the former John Bennett unit.

"This will be a three year lease," Schilling said. "It will be effective June 15th and both parties have a ninety day out."

Schilling said the IT staff will be able to get in on the 15th to work on setting up data lines and the IT system.

The Lee County Health Department Board of Directors is meeting tomorrow morning in open session at 7:00 a.m. at the Fort Madison Community Hospital to approve the lease agreement.

Schilling said they were contacted by building owners in other areas of Lee County for other possible buildings, but they eventually settled on the John Bennett unit.

Former Lee County Attorney Ross Braden ordered the staff out of the building after an air quality issue was brought to their attention.

The Pen City Current last week requested, via the Freedom of Information Act, the report for the air quality test that was done on the former facility at 2218 Avenue H in Fort Madison. County officials have said they're working to get the report released to the Pen City Current.

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