finances Pike Manor

By MICHELLE J. WILSON

Staff Writer

Nov. 22, 1999 10 PM

Editor’s Note: The Messenger is examining the different committees that serve the citizens and city of Troy. In this weekly series, we will introduce Troy’s governmental boards and the citizens who serve on them.

Although the Health Care Authority of the City of Troy owns Pike Manor Health Care Center, the board has no responsibility for the nursing home’s day-to-day operations.

That’s because the Authority is set up for financing purposes only, said Billy Gibson, chairman of the Health Care Authority.

It has a lease-purchase agreement with the operating corporation – Pike Health Care, Inc. The Health Care Authority has ownership of the property until the operating corporation exercises its option to purchase it, he said.

This relationship is advantageous because interest on bonds issued to pay for the facility is tax-free, Gibson said. Pike Health Care makes payments on the debt.

Besides the Health Care Authority having no responsibility in the facility’s operation, individual board members have no personal financial interests in it now, he said.

Besides Gibson, there are two other board members. Edward F. Barnett serves as the board’s vice chairman, and Melba Warren is the secretary.

Board members serve six-year terms. Gibson was reappointed to the board this fall by Troy City Council. The Health Care Authority meets once a quarter and has specially scheduled meetings as needed, he said.

The relationship between the Health Care Authority and Pike Manor has existed since 1973, Gibson said.

Financing for the facility was originally done through the Small Business Administration from 1964 to 1973, and it was overseen by the Medical Clinic Board, he added. In 1973, the nursing home went under the Health Care Authority

The facility originally held 50 beds and was enlarged to house 164 beds. It now has more than 200 beds, he said.

Gibson said he enjoys his involvement with the Health Care Authority.

"It ‘s been a lot of fun, and so many of my contemporaries are out there now," he said. "It really is a nice nursing home."