County Board Approves Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Samaritan Campus

West Bend, WI –The Washington County Board of Supervisors last night passed a resolution 13-8 approving the sale of Samaritan Campus. Several private sector nursing care organizations have expressed interest or provided letters of intent to purchase.

Both a Task Force formed by County Executive Josh Schoemann in October 2020 and an Ad Hoc Committee established by the County Board in October 2022 reached similar conclusions on options for the county to consider regarding Samaritan’s future: renovate, build a new facility, or enter a public/private partnership with the potential sale of the Samaritan to a private entity. Closing the facility was not under consideration.

The question before us was if the private sector can and will provide skilled nursing care for the current and future residents of Samaritan Campus, should Washington County create the space for the private sector to do so via a sale of licensed beds. The alternative, having the county remain in the business would result in remodeling the existing building or constructing a new campus.

After three years of discussions with the community; meetings with Samaritan staff, residents and their families; visits to more than a dozen other county-run nursing homes; reports from financial consultants; one task force and one ad hoc committee; and countless staff hours devoted to a workable resolution, the deliberations have concluded. Washington County remained focused on ensuring compassionate care of its elderly citizens while remaining accountable to the taxpayers.

“This is about the current and future residents at Samaritan and how best we can ensure they are cared for,” said Schoemann. “I thank the County Board and members of both the 2021 Task Force and current Ad Hoc Committee for the diligent work they did which contributed to making a final decision and giving peace of mind to the people of Washington County. I am excited to proceed with a sale to a healthcare organization with proven success in the skilled nursing facility industry.” 

County Executive Schoemann also singled out Matt Furno, the Samaritan Campus Administrator, for pouring his heart and soul into this effort for many years, Supervisor Linda Gurath and Kraig Sadownikow.

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