WCCC Finishes June With $53,570 Surplus; Census at 27

The Worth County Care & Rehab Center finished June with a surplus of $53,570.27. Total revenues were $197,951 and expenses were $144,381. For the recent fiscal year, income was $1,925,000, which was $175,000 higher than budgeted. Patient expenses were in line with last year's budget. For the year, the net income was $289,249, of which the facility spent $21,000 on remodeling. Cash on hand is around $1 million, with the facility standing to get around $175,000 for an employee retention credit from COVID-19. 

In 2020, the facility had a census of over 30 residents. But pressures from COVID-19 and more competition, with a new assisted living facility opening up in King City drove the census down into the teens at one point. But starting last year, the census has steadily grown to 27, and it has been as high as 29 residents. 

The WCCC Board held their regular meeting Wednesday to approve the budget. Justin Green was appointed to represent Smith Township (Allendale). He replaces Rick Dierenfeldt, who did not seek reelection this year. 

The board voted to give a three percent raise to employees along with a bump in incentive pay, which is used to reward employees who are on time and who don't call in. Administrator Kera Galanakis recommended the raise. "I think the staff needs to hear that we appreciate them," said board president Mark Cadle. 

Galanakis said that the long-term care groups she follows, which lobby at the federal and state level for facilities such as the WCCC, did not expect any funding changes from the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" passed by Congress, which targeted Medicaid for cuts heavily. However, Galanakis said a lot is not known at this point. "They don't think long term care is affected, but nobody really knows yet," she said. A new round of cuts, which includes eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and ratifying the cuts that Elon Musk instituted as part of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), is currently making its way through Congress. The Trump Administration has instituted mass layoffs since January 20th, which could mean longer processing times for claims submitted by the facility.

Among items on the facility's wish list for 2025-6 include ceilings, lighting, and floors. The board is in the process of looking at new guttering, which could improve water flow. The recent flood was discussed; Randy Allen has been by to try to locate an old drain, which carried away a lot of water and which was covered up by dirtwork. 

The facility is trying to release itself from DOT funding for the van. The van is paid off, and currently, new rules by the DOT requiring more training by drivers is making it cost more than what the DOT is putting in.