While they emphasized that they are not necessarily on a course to sell the county-owned nursing home, Sunnyview, Butler County commissioners voted unanimously yesterday to hire a New Castle firm to prepare an analysis of the facility's worth.

Carbis Walker LLP was retained for $15,000 to assess the fair market value of Sunnyview Nursing Home in Butler Township -- both the physical property as well as the business itself. Should the commissioners ask for additional work outside the original contract, the fee will be $195 an hour. Commissioners Chairman Dale Pinkerton said he did not expect to require additional services.

The vote comes as county commissioners and the nursing home's 200 or so unionized employees are at an impasse in labor contract negotiations, though elected officials have emphatically denied any connection between those facts. The home also employs about 30 nonunion workers.

Mr. Pinkerton said the decision to consider selling the home or changing its operational structure was recommended by a budget advisory committee that suggested the board consider a comprehensive analysis of open options. Sunnyview has been operating at a deficit in recent years. The nursing home was in the red by $800,000 in 2007 and by $1 million in 2008.

The idea of change has been lambasted by nursing home employees and union leaders as a move that would negatively impact the residents of the home.

Commissioners decided in February to seek proposals from consultants. Some two dozen were received, and the field was narrowed to two by Chief Clerk Bill O'Donnell and Controller Jack McMillin.

The nursing home, founded in the 1800s, underwent a $6 million renovation last year. It has about 216 residents.