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County board approves Bethany St. Joseph to manage Vernon Manor and Vernon Acres, 17–1
Summary
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors voted 17–1 on Oct. 17 to approve a management agreement with Bethany St. Joseph Corporation to operate Vernon Manor and Vernon Acres beginning in December 2024; the agreement moves facility staff to BSJ employment and creates a county advisory committee.
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors voted on Oct. 17 to approve two management agreements with Bethany St. Joseph Corporation (BSJ) to operate the county-owned long-term care facilities known as Vernon Manor and Vernon Acres. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 17 ayes and 1 nay (Supervisor Lonnie Muller); Supervisor Schweiger was absent.
BSJ CEO Kim Gochanour introduced the organization and noted BSJ already manages or owns several area nursing facilities. Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan told the board the county considered selling the facilities, contracting management, or changing operations after losing the county administrator last fall and being unable to hire a replacement. "To date there is a $3.4 million operating loss," Hanan said, and the county concluded a management agreement would provide stability and allow continued services.
Supervisor Alycann Taylor and others noted clerical errors in the draft agreements that the county will correct before signing. Supervisor Alycann Taylor explained some employees will be offered positions with BSJ and the agreement includes a termination clause allowing the county to end the agreement if it does not serve the county's interests. Hanan said BSJ received wage-rate data and that "some employees will see a pay increase," that retirement plans differ (county retirement versus BSJ 401(k)) and that health insurance offered by BSJ is "very similar" to the county's.
Supervisor Lonnie Muller, speaking as a Vernon Manor trustee, opposed the adoption and said trustees are charged by statute with operating nursing homes and disputed the financial figures presented to the board. Hanan and Corporation Counsel Swayne replied that the county board has legal authority to enter into a management agreement. The board will also form a County Advisory Committee that will meet quarterly; the board must decide whether to retain the current Board of Trustees or create a new advisory committee.
The resolution authorizing the agreements is Resolution 2024-52. The agreements take effect in December 2024 if executed; the county will offer employees positions with BSJ and staff will cease to be county employees if they accept the offer.
