Commissioners told to hire temporary administrator as long-term care survey finds missing background checks

Chairman Kelly Witt and the Garfield County Board of Commissioners were told on May 13 that a recent facility survey found staffing and documentation problems at the county long-term care facility and that corrective action must be completed quickly.

Nadine Elmore, who joined the meeting by phone, said the survey identified missing background checks from employee files and other survey tags requiring action. She recommended hiring a temporary administrator to work two to three days per week by June 21, 2026, and completing plans of correction by the same date to address compliance issues.

Krista Wright and Interim Director of Nursing Paige Powell participated in a discussion of staffing needs. Wright introduced Dr. Seals as a candidate for the Medical Director position. According to Elmore, the DON must be available 40 hours per week or the county should hire an Assistant DON; county staff noted an in-house registered nurse has expressed interest in the DON role. Elmore also said the facility needs a certified dietary manager.

The commissioners did not take a recorded vote on any personnel hire at the meeting; the transcript records these as recommendations and required corrective actions with an explicit June 21 compliance deadline. The board will consider hiring arrangements and staffing changes as part of administrative follow-up.

The meeting record shows the county intends to complete the listed plans of correction and staffing adjustments to address the survey tags by the stated deadline.