Fosston City Council Hosts Special Meeting On Tuesday Regarding Essentia Situation

A special meeting was held on Tuesday in the Fosston City Council Chambers to discuss the situation with Essentia and the city of Fosston. City Administrator Cassie Heide and Mayor Jim Offerdahl along with City Attorney Stephen Larson addressed many details with arbitration and what the plan is going forward for the hospital and its employees. The plan is to have the city take back control of the hospital once arbitration is complete. Many members of the community, including multiple Essentia staff were in attendance at the Tuesday’s meeting. They were able to ask questions and address any concerns to the City. The OB Task Force was available as well. The meeting lasted about one hour and many questions were asked regarding the future of the employees of Essentia. While Essentia did not choose to take a stand in the matter at the meeting, City Administrator Heide, as well as Mayor Offerdahl, all assured employees that the ultimate goal would be to grow jobs and retain the ones that are currently there. The biggest question from most people employed by Essentia was what will happen during the interim process; if and when the city takes back First Care services. The meeting was a great opportunity to open lines of communication between Essentia employees, the city and OB task force. The city of Fosston has created an email for people to ask questions and be put on a weekly mail update on the situation. More information will be available soon regarding weekly updates.