News Local/State

County Board Wants More Info Before Deciding On Nursing Home Tax Hike

By Jim Meadows
 

Champaign County Board members want more information about the finances of the county nursing home, before they decide on a proposed tax referendum to fund the home.

County Board members considered the Nursing Home Board’s recommendation at their Thursday night meeting, but took no action. Instead, members asked the Nursing Home Board to revisit their financial projections for the facility, and bring back new data for discussion in July or August. Nursing Home Board Chair Catherine Emmanuel says that’s exactly what they’ll do.

“We’ll go back and re-look at that, and do a more thoughtful look of what our capital needs are,” said Emmanuel. “And that was exactly what the Nursing Home Board had already determined to do. So we’re going to go back and look at a five-year projection of the income statement, as well as look at what a potential capitol plan might require.”

Champaign County’s current property tax for nursing home operations is three cents per $100 assessed valuation. The Nursing Home Board recommends raising it to as high as 10 cents. The extra money would help the nursing home cope with costs expected as their ten-year-old facility ages.

Emmanuel says the 10 cent rate is a maximum figure, and the actual tax rate could be lower, based on the nursing home’s actual financial needs. Any tax increase would need approval from county voters.