Vernon Manor trustees approve roughly $50,600 write-off, accept $3,187 bequest; discuss staffing, vehicle replacement and building improvements

Trustees for Vernon Manor and Vernon Acres approved an accounts-receivable write-off recorded in the meeting motion as $50,585.82 and accepted an annuity distribution of $3,187 earmarked for Vernon Manor, the group heard at a regular meeting (date not specified).

The actions came amid an extended administrative report from Kim Gokanauer, chief executive officer of Bethany St. Joseph's Corporation, who outlined rising census, staffing incentives, and short-term operational risks that drove the board discussion.

The write-off motion passed on a voice vote after a motion and second were offered; the meeting record shows the amount in the motion as $50,585.82. The trustees also voted to forward acceptance of the $3,187 annuity distribution to the county board for final acceptance. Both votes were carried by voice vote.

Gokanauer said Vernon Manor’s census has increased to 63 residents (the facility was budgeted for 55) and at one point reached 75; Vernon Acres reported 25 residents against a budgeted 29. "We're running actually 63 residents in Vernon Manor," Gokanauer said, adding that admissions and referrals — including higher hospital census — helped drive the increase. She described the occupancy and current Medicaid and Medicare rates as "strong and positive." Gokanauer also noted that the facilities together showed unaudited…