Carroll County trustees approve $7,500 Gift Cart Fund payout for staff recognition after debate

Carroll County Trustees Commissioner Chuck McGee and Treasurer Joe Costello voted 2-0 on July 25 to approve spending up to $7,500 from the Gift Cart Fund for employee recognition and recruitment at the county nursing home, after a recorded disagreement over the fund’s purpose.

The request was presented by MVC Administrator Rich Leboeuf as a recommendation from the retention and recruitment committee. CFO Bonnie Batchelder-Edson opposed the proposal in the meeting record, saying the fund’s intent is to benefit residents and activities and noting the fund’s origin: “This fund was started as part of the Friends of Mountain View non-profit. When that non-profit dissolved the funds were given to the nursing home,” Batchelder-Edson said. Leboeuf responded that “some families donate and ask that the money be used for employee appreciation,” and that there were no pending resident requests at the time.

Treasurer Joe Costello moved to approve the expenditure, and Commissioner McGee seconded. The motion was recorded as passing 2-0. The minutes show Batchelder-Edson’s opposition in the official record but do not list any vote names beyond the tally. Trustees present for the vote were Commissioner Chuck McGee and Treasurer Joe Costello.

The meeting also recorded two brief, unanimous actions earlier in the session: approval of the June 20 meeting minutes and approval of an amended amount of $5,138.56 for a previously authorized purchase of a grill and accessories. Both motions were moved by Treasurer Costello and seconded by Commissioner McGee and are recorded as passing 2-0.

The Gift Cart Fund was described in the minutes as originating with the Friends of Mountain View nonprofit and later transferred to the nursing home when the nonprofit dissolved. CFO Batchelder-Edson said that, in her view, the fund’s purpose is to support resident activities; Leboeuf characterized donor intent as sometimes favoring staff recognition and said the retention committee recommended the expenditure. Commissioner McGee noted in the record that “if staff are appreciated that benefits the residents.”

The written minutes include a signature block listing Chuck McGee, Joe Costello and Tom Buco. The document does not specify any follow-up reporting requirements, specific planned uses of the $7,500, or a timeline for the expenditures.