Nursing-home officials cite $5.50 Medicaid rate increase, staffing gaps; Sodexo to begin food service July 11

A county staff member told commissioners the nursing home’s Medicaid rates will increase by $5.50 beginning July 1 and outlined operations from March 1 through May 31, including staffing, mandatory education, and facility projects. "The new thing our Medicaid rates are going to go up $5.50. You can see starting July 1st," the staff member said.

The update said the facility still relies on nine travel staff, has hired some recent employees who later left, and continues active recruitment through job fairs and clinical rotation partnerships. Occupancy is roughly 60–63% with five residents currently in hospitals and three people on the waiting list expected to move in soon; the staff member said three more admissions would bring occupancy closer to 62–63%.

Officials said management and deliveries have improved and that the dietary contract is changing: Sodexo will begin food service onboarding and site visits in the weeks before a July 11 start, replacing the current vendor. The staff member also reported a return of an evening custodian and new part‑time hires in housekeeping, which may reduce maintenance callbacks.

Commissioners discussed workforce strategies and a Rural Health Transformation program that has earmarked funds for nursing‑home workforce development; the staff member said the county will submit a pre‑eligibility request in the coming month so it can apply when applications open later this year. The report flagged operational projects such as installation of unit heater cabinets and pending alarm‑system equipment.

The update concluded with routine staffing notes: the county reported providing clinical rotation sites for multiple agencies and expecting additional nursing‑school students in September. Commissioners thanked staff and moved on to budget items.