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Carroll County officials hear improvement report for Mountain View nursing home; staffing and agency costs remain a concern
Summary
County administrators and Mountain View leaders reported higher admissions, improved CMS star rating and increased revenue for 2024, while agency staffing costs rose and leaders outlined retention and training steps.
Carroll County Commissioners heard a detailed year-end report on Jan. 27 from Mountain View’s leadership showing higher admissions, stronger revenue and an improved Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rating — alongside continuing staffing and agency-cost pressures.
County Administrator Dylan LaBeouf introduced the item and Mountain View leadership presented the operating summary for 2024. The facility’s average daily census rose “about 5 days,” admissions increased from 65 in 2023 to 112 in 2024, and the facility increased its short-term (Medicare) census — from about three Medicare residents in 2023 to eight in 2024, which the presenters said improves daily revenue per bed.
The presenter said revenue tied to bed days rose by roughly $1.1 million for 2024 (excluding Proshare and bed tax revenues) and that cash collections also increased by nearly $2 million. "So a lot of positives. Very proud of the staff," the presenter said, crediting new admissions mix and front-line staff for the financial improvement.
The report said Mountain View’s CMS star rating rose from 1 to 3; presenters noted the facility would have a higher rating but for the continuing effect of a prior immediate-jeopardy finding that still weighs on the calculation from an earlier year. The presentation said that with continued performance the facility could reach at least a 4-star rating next year.
On workforce metrics, staff reported hires increased from 21 in 2023 to 31 in 2024 while total terminations fell from 43 to 32. The presenter said voluntary separations dropped and that the facility’s revised onboarding — a day-and-a-half orientation and structured floor mentoring — has reduced early turnover. Mountain View also launched an employee retention committee and an in‑house training program: the report noted 85 in-person training sessions in 2023 and increased in‑house training in 2024.
At the same time, agency staffing costs increased substantially. The presentation referenced an increase in agency (contract) staffing costs and said the county signed a new contract intended to lower agency hourly rates. Commissioners and presenters discussed regional competition for staff after a nearby new facility opened and the effects of local housing availability on recruitment. “We recognize the agency staff as a problem,” a commissioner said during questions.
Presenters described other operational initiatives: a staff recognition program called “You’ve Been Caught,” menu revisions developed with resident input, and branding efforts to promote pride and retention. They also said roughly 87% of Mountain View residents are Carroll County veterans.
Commissioners thanked the facility leadership and staff for reported improvements and stressed ongoing attention to agency staffing, recruitment, and training.
Ending: County leaders asked staff to continue monitoring agency costs and staffing metrics and to bring updates at future meetings; no formal financial appropriation or staffing hire was made at this meeting.
