A proposed assisted living facility in Pawnee City took another small step forward this week.  The City Council met with USDA Rural Development representative Janice Stopak, Alan Richard of the Pawnee City Development Corporation, and members of the Assisted Living Committee.
 City Clerk Tammy Stephens says they discussed various aspects of the project, including who might own the facility.  (play audio  :37)
 If the city were to own the facility, Stephens says they would hire someone to manage it under the authority of the Assisted Living Committee Board.  Stephens says location and funding of a possible assisted living facility also need to be ironed out.  (play audio  :34)
 The council took no action on the matter Monday night, pending more information on the financing of the facility and input from the community. Stephens says they also will get input from the city’s Auditor, Julie Bauman.  (play audio  :26)
 The next step in the process, Stephens says, is to do a financial feasibility study.  That will have to be done by an outside firm and could cost up to $25,000.  The PCDC has hired the firm Hanna-Keelan to do a separate market feasibility study.
 An assisted living facility is one of the community needs identified in Pawnee City’s recently completed housing study.