Neighbors of Dunn County committee accepts vouchers, reviews 2024 financials and capital plan

The Neighbors of Dunn County standing committee voted to accept the organization’s vouchers and the 2024 financial reports during its Feb. 27 meeting, which began at 9 a.m.

The motion to accept the vouchers and financial reports was made by Supervisor Story and seconded by Supervisor Lyon; the committee carried the motion by voice vote.

Jane, who presented the packet, said the 2024 financials show a profit and that timing and accounting items (for example, payroll days) explain some line‑item differences between reports. Without accounting for depreciation, Jane said the campus was about $1 million positive for the year. Committee members noted a projected 2025 profit of about $389,000 and confirmed that surplus money will be used to repay the neighbors’ balance owed to the general fund and to fund planned projects.

Why it matters: the committee’s financial review determines whether fee revenue covers operations and funds planned capital work. Jane said two capital projects planned for 2024 — replacing trim in several households and replacing the sign at the facility entrance — did not occur last year and will be done in 2025. The committee agreed those projects will be funded from fees (resident revenue) rather than a levy; the presenters said carrying the funds forward or booking them in 2025 would have the same net effect on the general fund and so the projects are being moved to 2025 to simplify accounting.

The vouchers list includes several annual or contract payments the committee reviewed as part of the packet. Jane highlighted an annual Relias training payment of $13,000 and a $21,664 charge to RF Technologies Incorporated for the campus call‑light system; the committee also discussed temporary staffing invoices from Marvel Medical Staffing LLC and the primary staffing vendor, Staff Medical.

The committee also reviewed campus census and payer mix. Jane said the campus began the month with 101 residents and ended the month at about 102 residents. Referral traffic was higher than usual (109 referrals reported for the month) because of community outbreaks of COVID, influenza and RSV; the packet showed nine residents admitted, one transfer to another facility, six deaths and three discharges home in the month reported. Committee members and staff discussed how reporting cut‑off times can make admitted versus accepted admission numbers differ by one or two residents on a given report.

Committee members asked for and received clarification on capacity. Staff said Fireside currently had seven residents and Arrowhead contains 13 beds; with Arrowhead closed the staff reported the campus could have about 24 residents with current staffing levels. Jane also noted an elevated number of veterans (more than 16 on VA) in current census totals, which affects billing and timing for receipts.

The committee set the next meeting for March 27, 2025, at 9 a.m. During announcements a committee member reported on the recent WCA conference in Madison and said the governor presented a budget with a surplus that could affect Medicaid and ADRC funding, topics the committee may examine in future meetings.

Less critical details: Jane cautioned that some measures (cash flow, audit reporting) will be presented differently when auditors complete their work later in the year and when the county’s new ERP is implemented for reporting.