Two Butler County commissioners today reinforced their intention to sell the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said the workers last month rejected the county's final offer, preventing a counterproposal subsequently submitted by the union from having an impact.

“We've made a final offer ... they didn't accept it,” McCarrier said at the commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein, the sole board member opposing a sale, unsuccessfully tried to have an explanation for not considering the counterproposal be placed on the agenda for the meeting on Wednesday.

“Why don't you explain to the people,” Eckstein said.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton agreed with McCarrier that repeating the explanation was unnecessary.

“We already stated that,” Pinkerton said.

Eckstein argued his colleagues should have been swayed because SEIU Healthcare, which represents roughly 200 Sunnyview workers, submitted a proposal that saves the county $1 million.

County officials maintain Sunnyview needs to be sold due to its annual deficit.