Stephenson County committee hears pleas to retain TCM as nursing center reports rising census and large receivables

Stephenson County officials heard public appeals to retain management company TCM and received a detailed operations update for the county nursing center during a committee meeting that also approved routine claims and voted to enter executive session.

The most immediate issue raised during public comment was the county27s dispute with TCM over unpaid management fees. Jody Potts, who identified herself during public comment, said, "I believe that what you're doing, by getting rid of TCM is really reckless." Another resident from Freeport praised the company27s recent work, saying TCM had taken the facility "from crisis" and helped increase its star rating.

Marcus (role not specified), who delivered the facility report to the committee, said the nursing center27s census had risen to 48 and that December admissions totaled eight. Marcus said average monthly census for December was 44 and that the facility had increased admissions since December 2023, when the census was reported as 38. He also described operational details including staffing, dietary and maintenance work, and preparations for an annual survey.

Why it matters: The management dispute and the facility27s finances bear directly on the nursing center27s operations and its ability to maintain staffing, referrals and services. Committee members and members of the public described improved care metrics and rising census alongside concerns that ending the management contract could disrupt that progress.

Finance and contract dispute Committee discussion noted a large accounts-receivable balance. Marcus reported total accounts receivable of $1,092,014.72 for the period ending the 30th (as presented to the committee). Committee members and management discussed legacy billing issues, including long-outstanding negative balances reported as overpayments in some payer accounts (Meridian was called out in the meeting discussion). A county attorney27s letter and a notice with a 10-day cure period were discussed; meeting comments placed a potential cure deadline of Jan. 17 in the exchange between the parties.

Management and staffing Speakers at the meeting described ongoing recruitment and operational changes at the nursing center. Marcus identified department heads by name and role in his report: Brenda Rothschild (activity director), Jeanne Cross (admissions and marketing director), Carolyn Burke (accounts payable support), Jennifer Alaniz (business office manager), Sue Bechtel (contract dietary), Tina Todey (environmental services director), Cel (Shelly) (maintenance director), Kendra Martinez (human resources), Joyce Simga (medical records coordinator), Annette Williams (director of nursing services) and Nancy Yules (social services director). Marcus said HVAC work on the north end of the building was expected to finish within about a week and then move to the south end.

Public comment and committee tone Multiple public commenters urged the committee to retain TCM at least long enough to stabilize census. A resident who said she lives in Freeport told the committee that TCM had "done a tremendous job for us" and had improved ratings and staffing. Another commenter urged the board to consider a management-company arrangement while the committee pursues hiring a permanent, full-time administrator.

What the committee decided The meeting record shows only routine, formal actions during the public session: approval of the meeting agenda, approval of minutes from the Dec. 12, 2024 meeting, and approval of claims totaling $309,005.11. Later the committee voted to go into executive session under the statutory provisions read aloud during the meeting. There was no public, final vote recorded in the transcript to terminate or renew TCM27s management contract; a letter and a potential cure period were discussed, and negotiations or follow-up were described as ongoing.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: Motion carried (voice vote). - Minutes approval (Dec. 12, 2024): Motion carried (voice vote). - Claims approval: Approved, claims totaling $309,005.11 (voice vote). - Motion to enter executive session (employment matters and litigation per cited statute): Moved by Mr. Whelan; seconded by Mr. Meester. Roll-call recorded as: Mr. Whelan (yes), Mr. Bush (yes), Jackie (yes), Mr. Adley (yes), Baker (aye). The committee entered executive session.

What was not decided The transcript shows discussion and a notice related to nonpayment and a cure period, but it does not contain a public, final decision to terminate or extend the management contract with TCM. Committee members indicated ongoing negotiations and said a transition to a full-time county administrator was under consideration; no formal action to replace TCM was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

Next steps The committee moved into executive session to discuss employment and litigation-related matters as allowed by the statutory language read into the record. The public record in the transcript ends with the roll call to enter executive session; no further public actions regarding the TCM contract were recorded in the available transcript.