Five proposals have been received by the Hospital Review Committee in regards to a proposed lease with Marion General Hospital.

The committee was formed by city council on May 26th. That committee, composed of two council members, all three county commissioners, the mayor, the law director, and the county prosecutor, has been put in charge of hiring a consultant.

That consultant would be required to determine a fair market value, ensuring an appropriate quality of care, ensuring legal protections in the lease, and assuring the city and county’s finances.

The committee agreed to start setting up interviews with potential consultants. Those interviews will be open to the public.

The city has proposed a 35-year lease, starting out at $300,000 per year with a 4% yearly increase.