(KNZA)--A large crowd was on hand for a special meeting of the Horton City Commission Thursday afternoon, scheduled to discuss proposals for the purchase of the Mission Village Living Center.

No action was taken following the 90 minute meeting, which included an executive session for attorney-client privilege lasting a total of 45 minutes at the beginning of the meeting.

The City previously received a proposal from the Jefferson County Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase the facility for nearly $131,000, and now has received a proposal from the Atchison Hospital Association.

City Attorney Kevin Hill explained following the executive session that any proposal for the sale of the facility to a third party would have to be approved by both the Mission Village Board and City Commission.

Atchison Hospital CEO Jeff Perry discussed his proposal at the meeting, saying the hospital is interested in providing a full spectrum of health care services in the community, and a nursing home has been part of that plan from the beginning.

The hospital finalized purchase of the Horton Health Care facilities in March, and re-opened the Horton Clinic June 1.

Perry said the hospital is only interested in purchasing the nursing home if there is united support from the Mission Village Board and City Commission, adding the hospital is not seeking to divide the community.

Perry said Atchison Hospital is proposing a purchase price of $200,000.

Lamont Cook, who serves as Mission Village Administrator and has been authorized to negotiate its purchase on behalf of the Jefferson County Memorial Hospital, told the Commission he wasn't prepared to present a proposal Thursday. He said he hadn't been told by the City about the special meeting or that he needed to formally present a proposal at the session.

Cook noted since taking over the facility more than a year ago, the census is up 37 percent, improvements have been made, and $187,000 in owed debt paid.

Mission Village Board President Janice Krug, who was present at the meeting, told the Commission the Board would be willing to hear both proposals.