DeKalb County Administrator Brian Gregory says the County Board is no longer looking at sale of the County Nursing Home. Originally faced with mounting losses, the County planned to sell the facility to a private operator. The sale fell through when the buyer was unable to obtain initial state approval and opted to back out of the deal rather than pursue resolution of state oversight board issues. Gregory said a change in state Medicaid reimbursements opened the path to a break-even operating scenario for the county. The Jordan Health Group provided a business plan to the county which won bi-partisan support. The county will create an oversight board for the nursing home and defined budget checks and balances going forward according to Gregory. He is currently looking for volunteers to serve on the new oversight board. Gregory also urged Rotarians to spread the word about the county retaining ownership of the nursing home and its commitment to quality care for residents.
Gregory also mentioned several items affecting county services and taxpayer benefits. He noted that county treasurer and Rotarian Becky Springer was able to earn over $500,000 in interest on property tax collections which will be apportioned out to the county taxing bodies for extra income. Springer said she plans to offer paperless property tax billing this coming tax cycle. Meanwhile, he said county clerk and Rotarian Tasha Sims is reviewing new ways to make sure election voting is both secure and easily available to all qualified voters. Sims added she is always looking for election judges to help with the voting process. Gregory added that taxpayers are benefiting from economic development growth in the county, particularly along the I-88 corridor in DeKalb. He said this means the overall county tax rate will be going down again this year. Gregory also noted that state rules mean several large-scale solar projects planned for DeKalb County are expected to move forward this year.