Stephenson County committee approves RFQ to solicit bids for Stevenson Nursing Center; delays broker decision

Stephenson County oversight committee members voted 3-2 to approve a request for qualifications to solicit bids for the purchase of Stevenson Nursing Center, known as Walnut Acres, and unanimously agreed to delay a decision on hiring a property broker until the committee's June meeting.

The vote to approve the RFQ followed public comment urging the county not to sell the nursing home and a series of operational reports showing continued billing and collection work with a third-party vendor. Public commenter Chris Klucke of 128 North Bailey told the committee, “I would like to recommend against any action that puts the nursing home up for sale.” Klucke also said the nursing home was established by a referendum and added, “It is up to them to go to the ballot box…”

Why this matters: Committee members debated whether the question of selling the nursing home should be decided by a public referendum or through the committee's process. Members expressed concerns about the facility's finances and liability, and they discussed ongoing billing, collection and write-off efforts that affect the facility's bottom line.

Administrator Marcos reported operational figures to the committee, saying the facility's highest April census was 53 residents, the reported census used in the written report was 47, and the average monthly census for April was 50. Marcos said total admissions in April were four, total discharges seven and hospital leaves five. He also told the committee that April deposits from billing and collections totaled “close to $600,000,” an amount he said was similar to deposits in January of the year.

Marcos described changes to accounts-payable practices and work with the business office, naming business office manager Jennifer Alaniz and accounts-payable staff member Carolyn Burke as contacts. He said Quality Health Care Resources, operating alongside MatrixCare, continues to run the facility's billing and collections, and that the vendor provides multiple reports breaking down payments, adjustments, transfers to private payers and write-offs.

Committee member Miss Sherman asked about a recommended write-off amount; the documents discussed included a detailed list by resident and an apparent total of $127,885.09 for claims the vendor recommended writing off. Marcos confirmed a row-level report showing $127,885.09 in proposed write-offs; he also referenced other adjustments visible in the vendor reports.

On the two formal motions: the committee first approved a motion to lay over consideration of property brokerage and consulting services bids until the June oversight meeting so members could consider brokerage quotes alongside any incoming purchase bids. The committee then moved and seconded a separate motion to approve the RFQ for bids for the purchase of Stevenson Nursing Center (Walnut Acres). When a roll call was requested for the RFQ vote, the committee recorded the following: Mister Whalen, aye; Mister Meister, aye; Mister Bush, no; Mister Hadley, no; Miss Baker, aye. The roll call produced a 3-2 result in favor of approving the RFQ.

During discussion, at least two committee members said they would vote against selling the county nursing home and preferred submitting the question to a public referendum; other members said they did not support a referendum because they believe the public may not have the information needed to evaluate the facility's complex finances and liabilities. One committee member asked for a town-hall-style public meeting to present detailed financial information to residents.

The committee also noted that this committee previously approved an initial round of write-offs submitted by Quality Health Care Resources, and that another round of write-offs covering additional months would be submitted for the committee's consideration in the coming period.

The meeting closed its public business by moving into an executive session to discuss employment matters, including appointment, compensation, performance or dismissal of specific employees.

Less critical details: committee members thanked the vendor teams for providing more detailed billing reports compared with earlier processes. Staff identified Adrian as the county finance director to contact with questions about the monthly revenue and expense report. The committee requested more detailed documentation and town-hall outreach before pursuing a sale or a referendum.