Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center never has been intended as a huge profit-maker for the county. If that had been the goal, county commissioners many years ago would have sold the facility.

County officials' main purpose in retaining the home has been a laudable commitment to serving the needs of the generally frail individuals who are in need of its services.

Thus, the decision on whether to retain ownership of the home or to sell or lease it to a private operator isn't going to be easy. And, rightly, none of the three commissioners is giving any hints otherwise. Actually, it's too early for them to be hinting on what each of their votes will be.

A 39-page study report prepared by a Pittsburgh firm, Carbis Walker, under a contract with the county, while being a source of expert analysis, is only part of the big picture the commissioners will have to consider as they ponder the home's fate. The same holds true for a review of the Carbis Walker study by a three-person committee headed by former Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey.

Butler County officials hope to have the committee's recommendation within six weeks.

While there is debate on how much benefit — over the short and long terms — money from the sale of the home would provide, there remains room for legitimate debate on what really is Sunnyview's true financial picture.

County and Sunnyview officials disagree on the amount of the home's operating loss; county officials put that figure at about $1 million annually, but Dr. William DiCuccio, the home's executive and medical director, says Sunnyview is much closer to getting out of the red, if the county's administrative costs are not included.

The county currently assesses Sunnyview for the Sunnyview-related services of administration and personnel staff at the county Government Center.

"It's not really costing the county what they say it costs the county," DiCuccio said.

What is — and what has been — a major issue surrounding Sunnyview is the facility's costs as compared with the average total costs for all nursing homes, including those operated by companies and nonprofit organizations.

A comparison has revealed that Sunnyview has a daily cost for each resident that is 14 percent higher than the daily statewide average for all nursing homes — $205 as compared with $177.

That is not a situation for which blame can be placed on the current board of commissioners; prior boards should have worked harder to better control costs. But it is a situation that must be factored in regarding the issue of whether to sell, lease or retain the home.

The consideration of the home's fate then must focus on whether the commissioners really feel $8.5 million would be a fair, adequate figure for the home; the Carbis Walker report actually sets the home's value at between $9.9 million and $13.2 million, but subtracts $1.4 million for debt incurred from construction done at the home.

Coupled with the money factor, the commissioners will have to decide whether they would feel comfortable turning over the care of the home's residents to another organization.

Then there's the fact that county government has no obligation under state or federal law to be in the nursing home business.

But each of the commissioners' comments regarding Sunnyview is logical and indicative of the difficult choice that each will have to make, if and when the matter of the possible sale comes to a vote.

Commissioner Jim Lokhaiser: "We're not in it to make a ton of money."

Commissioner James Kennedy: "I certainly think it (Carbis Walker report) backs up the financial needs."

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton: "I'm not willing to even talk about making a decision (at this time)."

Sunnyview is first about care. But the commissioners are well aware that the financial best interests of the county government and taxpayers is no less of a consideration in the overall picture.

The commissioners aren't under any urgent deadline to make a decision. They must make sure all considerations — even the most minor — are fully examined before the time for a vote is announced.

Like the Carbis Walker report, the viewpoint of the three-member review committee, while certainly carrying weight, will not dictate what the commissioners must do.

The commissioners have the responsibility to make the final decision, and no doubt they will be both praised and criticized for whatever decision they ultimately make. There's much more involved in the issue than money and profit.