In late November, former NorCo Council mewmber John Brown predicted that Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home, would require a contribution of $10-15 million from the general fund to balance its books for last year. Was he right? Well, at Thursday evening's County Council meeting, Executive Tara Zrinski conceded that a county contribution would be needed.
Zrinski was presenting a detailed report on the county, department-by-department. When it came to Gracedale, she stated that the county is "working" on eight new hires to reduce dependence on expensive nursing provided by outside agencies.
She went on to say that "we've actually showed some real fiscal progress in so far as the medical aid pending Medicare [I think she means Medicare and Medicaid], pending dollars, is almost double the anticipated reimbursement for Medicaid. So that means the annual loss, and whatever we have to make for a county contribution, is half of what we expected."
Nobody asked her what that annual loss actually is.
The County's proposed 2026 budget (the adopted budget has yet to be posted online) anticipates about $105 million in revenue this year from property taxes. A shortfall at the home would be paid from the revenue generated by property taxes.
The census at Gracedale was recently below the 520 it needs to be in order to brake even.
Well of course the entire budget was propped up for a no tax increase political budget. Everyone knew that. If Brown was so sure, why didn't he at least second Heckman's tax increase resolution so they could have discussed it and changed it. You knew it was all smoke and mirrors, but you would not call the executive out.
ReplyDeleteWhen are the so-called leaders of NORCO going to wake up and realize they have no business running a nursing home? When are the citizens going to say enough is enough?
ReplyDeleteIt’s referred to as “MA pending” and of course Gracedale will need county contribution. It’ll somehow be spun as “Well it’s just what we have to do “ and Tara’s supporters will all nod in agreement. “Working on eight new hires “ (what positions and are they definite). Gracedale and those who voted for Tara are in for a rude awakening. Her incompetence is unbelievable. Our seniors do need a well run facility (Gracedale was that at one point) but it’s presently in shambles.
ReplyDeleteThe continuing saga of Norco's favorite soap opera - As Gracedale Bleeds
ReplyDelete2024?
ReplyDeleteSounds like she's playing the same game that McClure and Barron played manipulating and obscuring the operating deficits. There's no more ARPA, CARES, or surplus left to paper over the losses. The county didn't fund the employee pension fund for 2026 and now we know why. Let's hope she comes clean and proposes a budget amendment BEFORE transferring the funds!
ReplyDeleteMy father spent the last weeks of his life at Gracedale. He loved the Gracedale and he wasn'teven in as room. He was in a ward with three other guys He loved the food and the staff. And he came from a Taj Mahal facility at Advanced Care at Hanover. All the staff were wonderful at both places and made what were to be his last days, very comfortable. RIP dad.
ReplyDeleteFACT: when John Brown was County Executive he proposed a whopping tax increase so he wouldn't have to raise taxes in later years.
ReplyDeleteFACT: He raised taxes so high that when he lost the election to McClure, McClure didn't have to raise taxes for eight years.
Fact: McClure rode the gravy train for eight years and then in his last year when he realized the County would need a whopping tax increase, he decided to run for Congress because he knew he would never get re-elected. Fact: Thanks to John Brown McClure handed out these tax dollars and got all kinds of good publicity because John Brown screwed the taxpayers eight years ago. Now the chickens come home to roost.
Fact: Tara Zrinski wins election and finds short falls in almost all the larger departmental budgets. Millions of dollars are needed to fund these short falls and thousands of people (employees included) are getting screwed by these underfunded budgets. Tara appears to have a good understanding of where these problem areas are and is making Council/Commissioners aware of these underfunded budgets. Keep up the good work Tara. McClure should be ashamed of himself for leaving you this budget nightmare.
Like she did not know. Like she did not care. You get smoke and mirrors with Tara.
DeleteDid any of the council open up discussion on looking into a professional nursing home management program ?
ReplyDeleteFact: Tara was on council and in McCure’s cabinet during the times when many questions were raised about funding falling short for Gracedale, census numbers dropping, beds being sold, and staff shortages. This did not happen overnight, these were ongoing and rolling problems during her tenure as a councilman and controller, not just handed to her.
ReplyDeletePlease dump Michelle Morton Gracedale can't afford anymore citations
ReplyDeleteIt might serve this council well to do a walk through and review of Gracedale’s current status with David Holland. If you have a good resource, you should use it.
ReplyDeleteHow long is Gracedale given to correct problems or is it based upon inspection schedule?
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