A group of Champaign County officials has just released a statement calling for the sale of the county’s nursing home, which has been financially insolvent for quite some time.
The letter, which calls for finding a suitable buyer to take over the nursing home, is almost certainly easier said than done, not to mention the fact that the nursing home provides a vital service to those who need care and can’t necessarily afford it.
Read the full letter below, as well as the names of the officials who signed it:
As public officials of Champaign County, we are required to provide essential services to the public. We have been following with interest the poor financial performance of the County Nursing Home, and the necessity for continued subsidies to the Home from the County general fund.
This week, the County Administrator stated that funding the operation of the Home through next year would require significant personnel reductions from other County Departments. These potential personnel reductions would be in addition to reductions effected during the past ten years, as our departments have continued to increase efficiencies to meet new state and federal mandates without adding staff. Furthermore, these personnel reductions would negatively impact essential County services in law enforcement and our Court system; and in our administration of elections, land records, vital records, and other programming.
Champaign County’s current financial difficulties are temporary, and are caused by the poor financial performance of the County Nursing Home. We recommend, as a solution, the sale of the Home as soon as practicable to a reasonable buyer, who can improve the quality of care for patients, protect Nursing Home employees, and eliminate the financial liability and risk currently borne by the taxpayers of Champaign County.
Signed,
Circuit Clerk Katie Blakeman
Presiding Judge Tom Difanis
Auditor John Farney
County Clerk Gordy Hulten
Coroner Duane Northrup
State’s Attorney Julia Rietz
Recorder of Deeds Mark Shelden
Sheriff Dan Walsh
Treasurer Dan Welch