An agreement between the City and County, in which neither side will move on a proposed lease with Marion General Hospital until a court decides the need for County approval, is now in a judges hands.

The agreement, which was accepted by the Marion City Council on Monday and by the Marion County Commissioners last Thursday, would end months of shuffling by both sides.

That agreement stipulates that the court can decide the County’s involvement and neither the City, represented by Law Director Mark Russell, or the County, represented by Prosecutor Jim Slagle, would appeal. Judge William Finnegan will hear the case.

The county filed the injunction contending that the city needs their approval before entering into a new lease with Marion General Hospital.

The new lease would replace the current one, which began in 1983.

The council also agreed to postpone a third reading, and a vote, until August 25th.