Stephenson County meeting hears nursing-center report as board approves claims totaling $23,495.59

Stephenson County officials heard an update on the county nursing center’s operations and approved routine agenda items and claims at a meeting that began at 6:30 p.m.

Malika, identified in the record as a nursing center staff member, told the meeting the facility’s census has risen to 70 residents, including eight skilled-care beds, and that the center recorded 17 admissions in December. "Our current census is up to 70," the presenter reported, and staff said the facility’s holiday recruitment incentive for certified nursing assistants appears to be reducing reliance on agency CNAs.

The report stressed operational supports: corporate staff are visiting the facility weekly and remain available by phone, and managers are continuing to reconcile financial statements. A county staff member noted that "there's invoices that were never entered" and that some charges on the reconciled statements appear to be finance or interest charges; staff said they are confirming exact balances before finalizing payments.

Board members asked where new residents were being referred from. Staff said referrals increased from FHM and included hospitals in the Chicago area as well as some out-of-state placements from Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin; the record also references at least one resident coming from Hartford. On payer mix, the presenter said the eight skilled residents are Medicaid-funded, and estimated three to four residents are private-pay with the remainder covered by Medicaid.

Labor matters were raised: a board member said the board would assign a contract, and staff reported that the union had not responded to the red-line edits provided by the facility, describing "radio silence" from the union thus far.

On routine business the meeting approved the agenda and the Dec. 11 minutes by voice vote. The board also voted to approve claims recorded in the minutes in the amount shown as "32 or $23,495.59"; county staff explained that the claims package includes several reconciliations and charges that required confirmation of prior invoices before payment. The meeting recessed to 8:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval: moved (recorded as "Mister Whelan"), seconded (recorded as "Jackie"); outcome: approved by voice vote. - Minutes (Dec. 11) approval: motion recorded as "So moved" and a second recorded in the minutes as "Mister Wheeling"; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Claims approval: record shows approval of claims recorded as "32 or $23,495.59"; mover and second are not consistently named in the transcript; outcome: approved by voice vote.

What’s next: Staff will continue reconciling invoices and confirm amounts for the claims package; the record shows the board will proceed with contract assignment and awaits a response from the union on negotiated red lines.