Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nursing Home Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carroll County commissioners approve emergency purchase for nursing home and discuss staffing, paving and grant scope change
Summary
Commissioners approved waiving bids to buy a $25,109 tilt skillet for the county nursing home, reviewed ongoing agency staffing shortages and approved a scope change to redirect nursing-home grant funds to a laundry addition; county paving work will begin at the nursing home this week.
Carroll County commissioners voted Oct. 6 to waive competitive bidding and authorize purchase of a tilt skillet for the county nursing home, heard continued concerns about agency nursing-staffing levels and were briefed on a paving project that will begin this week.
The commission approved buying the tilt skillet from Pine Tree for $25,109, including $500 for electrician work, and waived the bid process “due to expediency,” a motion the board adopted by voice vote. The skillet replacement was described as necessary because the existing tilt feature no longer works and the piece has been in service since being moved from the prior building 14 years ago.
The discussion on staffing resumed after a public commenter and nursing-home advocates said agency use remains high. A speaker noted recent monthly vacancy reports showing roughly 15 nursing vacancies per month over recent months and said the county routinely uses more agency staff than nearby facilities. The nursing-home superintendent and county staff discussed the superintendent’s outreach to other providers: one outside provider, Prime Care, can provide telehealth mental-health services but the superintendent recommended in-person services instead.
The board also discussed an emergency grant scope change that had been approved earlier by the executive council. The county had sought state approval to reallocate existing nursing-home grant funds originally proposed for the current building to pay for a laundry facility addition at the new nursing-home site, to meet expenditure deadlines. Staff said the state’s executive council approved the scope change on Sept. 20 to meet timing requirements; the funds must be expended by June 30 of the applicable fiscal year.
Separately, county staff briefed commissioners on a complex paving contract with GMI Paving that will start at the nursing home, weather permitting. The nursing-home contract portion includes sidewalks, curb work and full pavement around that building and is expected to take about two weeks; after completion, work will move to the administration building and jail. Staff said the annex will only receive targeted repairs to major holes in its front parking area.
Commissioners did not alter policy on staffing or agency use during the meeting but directed staff to continue tracking vacancy and agency-cost data. The tilt skillet purchase and bid waiver were approved at the meeting; staff said the nursing-home administrator had obtained quotes and that the vendor is a long-time supplier for county kitchen equipment.
