In his Amery Free Press column this week, Bob Zank takes the entire County Board to task for going into closed session to discuss negotiation strategy for the sale of Golden Age Manor.
Mr. Zank does not mention in his column that Corporation Counsel Fuge, along with private counsel from the Riley firm in Eau Claire, advised the Board that the closed session was appropriate and legal. When a person (or the County Board) hires a lawyer to give advice, the best course for the client is to follow the lawyers' professional guidance. I'm a teacher, not a lawyer. I assumed then, and I assume now, that Mr. Fuge's advice, as well as the concurrence from the Eau Claire lawyer, was given in good faith, and that we would not be breaking the law by going into closed session.
Polk County Board members acted on advice of counsel when we went into closed session, and that's why the court today declined to impose any forfeiture for any Supervisor in this case.
I'll be looking forward to Mr. Zank's column next week, when he explains the court's ruling. Mr. Zank was there when Judge Harrington announced that we Supervisors had a right to rely on legal advice, and that forfeitures would be inappropriate because there was no intent to violate the Open Meeting Law.
I've been on the Board now for three years. By and large, it is, as Mr. Zank points out in his column, a pretty thankless job. But the occasional opportunity to make a difference and do something positive to help bring better government to Polk County makes it worthwhile for me. I'll continue to do my best, and although I probably have not made my last mistake, I pledge to work hard for the best interests of the citizens of Polk County.
In the meantime, Mr. Zank, as well as other concerned citizens, should attend a committee meeting once in awhile. The committes are where the County Board grunt work is done. Bob should drop by Land and Water, Lime Quarry and Extension Committee meeting. Human Services is another committee, which I chair, that addresses issues important to the County. Citizen attendance at these meetings is unusual. An observer who attends only the County Board meeting each month does not get a true picture of how the Board functions.
Some people run for office thinking that they're going to cut taxes and improve the roads at the same time. After they're elected, they find out how difficult it is to balance a budget. There are things I'd like to see changed in the County Board. I think we have too many Supervisors. I think we need a full-time Administrator. There are some people in County government who should be gone. Overall, though, the County is blessed to have hard-working people who are dedicated to the best interests of the citizens of Polk County.
New candidates for office are not encouraged when they read in the Amery Free Press how everyone on the County Board is essentially either an unrepentant criminal or incompetent. I don't think holding everyone on the Board up for public ridicule is a particularly effective way to drum up qualified candidates in the next election. There are several excellent Supervisors who should be re-elected, if they choose to run again. I hope that the negativity in Mr. Zank's column doesn't convince them that they should decide to spend more quality time with their family instead of shouldering the responsibility of public office, especially when that public service includes tar and feathers, courtesy of Mr. Zank.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Saturday, November 8, 2008
More Golden Age Manor
Supervisor Neil Johnson has offered a Resolution for consideration at the November 12, 2008, Board Meeting calling for the "Golden Age Manor Board of Trustees (to) direct the Administrator to monitor and reduce the operation expenses for 2009 by $300,000." The proposed Resolution also directs the "...Board of Trustees (to) supply a detailed plan to the Polk County Finance Committee by December 10, 2008 and to the Polk County Board on the January 2009 monthly board meeting."
The Golden Age Manor Board of Trustees has legal responsibility and authority to make decisions concerning the Golden Age Manor and its operations. This proposed Resolution is yet another example of Supervisors attempting to micro-manage a department, except that, in this case, the Supervisor does not even serve on a committee that has authority over the operation of GAM. Supervisor Johnson's proposed Resolution would impact decisions already made by the Finance and Personnel Committees, not to mention the GAM Board.
Drastic cuts suggested by Supervisor Johnson would seriously undermine the level of care provided by GAM because a $300,000 operating budget cut would require an immediate termination of several employees as well as halting new admissions, thus jeopardizing future revenues. The facility's state license would be placed at risk due to the reduction in the quality of care necessitated by this drastic cut in the operating budget.
Supervisor Johnson might stop to consider that in the purchase agreement "negotiated" last year, Polk County promised to turn over a financially sound and operating nursing home at the closing. Supervisor Johnson, as a member of the Finance Committee at that time, certainly must be aware of the promises made to the buyers. Furthermore, if the legal challenge to the sale is successful and the sale does not go through, Supervisor Johnson's ill-advised Resolution would run the business into the ground, ensuring closure of Golden Age Manor. Is this the real purpose of the Resolution?
This constant harping at Golden Age management is really getting out of hand. A few Supervisors (along with the Finance Director, Tanya Weinert) appear to be obsessed with the idea of either selling or closing down the Golden Age Manor. Hardly a month passes without some measure being offered that imposes an unrealistic budget or personnel cut for the facility. How the employees and residents of this fine nursing home facility tolerate this distrustful and divisive behavior on the part of the County Board and Ms. Weinert is beyond me.
Our county Finance Director, Tanya Weinert, needs to remember that, as a county employee, she is not to take positions for or against policy initiatives such as the sale of Golden Age. The Polk County Board hired Ms. Weinert to provide accurate financial information to the Board so that the Supervisors, who are elected by the citizens of Polk County, are equipped to make these decisions. She needs to focus on her job duties and stay out of the policy argument. If Ms. Weinert wants to participate on that level, she should run for County Board.
On a related note, St. Croix County voters sent a message to their elected officials earlier this week regarding their county-operated nursing home. A non-binding referendum calling for the use of tax dollars to fund budget shortfalls in St. Croix County's county-operated nursing home passed 65% to 35%. Do the people of Polk County care less than the people of St. Croix County for their elderly citizens? I, for one, doubt that. Rather, I think that there are a few Supervisors in Polk County who are not truly representing the views of their constituents when they push for the demise of our County nursing home.
The Golden Age Manor Board of Trustees has legal responsibility and authority to make decisions concerning the Golden Age Manor and its operations. This proposed Resolution is yet another example of Supervisors attempting to micro-manage a department, except that, in this case, the Supervisor does not even serve on a committee that has authority over the operation of GAM. Supervisor Johnson's proposed Resolution would impact decisions already made by the Finance and Personnel Committees, not to mention the GAM Board.
Drastic cuts suggested by Supervisor Johnson would seriously undermine the level of care provided by GAM because a $300,000 operating budget cut would require an immediate termination of several employees as well as halting new admissions, thus jeopardizing future revenues. The facility's state license would be placed at risk due to the reduction in the quality of care necessitated by this drastic cut in the operating budget.
Supervisor Johnson might stop to consider that in the purchase agreement "negotiated" last year, Polk County promised to turn over a financially sound and operating nursing home at the closing. Supervisor Johnson, as a member of the Finance Committee at that time, certainly must be aware of the promises made to the buyers. Furthermore, if the legal challenge to the sale is successful and the sale does not go through, Supervisor Johnson's ill-advised Resolution would run the business into the ground, ensuring closure of Golden Age Manor. Is this the real purpose of the Resolution?
This constant harping at Golden Age management is really getting out of hand. A few Supervisors (along with the Finance Director, Tanya Weinert) appear to be obsessed with the idea of either selling or closing down the Golden Age Manor. Hardly a month passes without some measure being offered that imposes an unrealistic budget or personnel cut for the facility. How the employees and residents of this fine nursing home facility tolerate this distrustful and divisive behavior on the part of the County Board and Ms. Weinert is beyond me.
Our county Finance Director, Tanya Weinert, needs to remember that, as a county employee, she is not to take positions for or against policy initiatives such as the sale of Golden Age. The Polk County Board hired Ms. Weinert to provide accurate financial information to the Board so that the Supervisors, who are elected by the citizens of Polk County, are equipped to make these decisions. She needs to focus on her job duties and stay out of the policy argument. If Ms. Weinert wants to participate on that level, she should run for County Board.
On a related note, St. Croix County voters sent a message to their elected officials earlier this week regarding their county-operated nursing home. A non-binding referendum calling for the use of tax dollars to fund budget shortfalls in St. Croix County's county-operated nursing home passed 65% to 35%. Do the people of Polk County care less than the people of St. Croix County for their elderly citizens? I, for one, doubt that. Rather, I think that there are a few Supervisors in Polk County who are not truly representing the views of their constituents when they push for the demise of our County nursing home.
Golden Age News: Sylvester Heirs Located
Before her death, Annie Sylvester donated real estate in Amery for the purpose of constructing the Golden Age Manor. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has determined that the county must continue to operate the nursing home, obtain a 2/3 super-majority of the county board to sell the home, or obtain permission from the Sylvester heirs to sell the property.
Theoline Isaacson and Ione Alwin, now living in San Benito, Texas, have confirmed that they adamantly oppose the sale of the Golden Age Manor, and would never agree to a sale of the facility.
Theoline Isaacson and Ione Alwin, now living in San Benito, Texas, have confirmed that they adamantly oppose the sale of the Golden Age Manor, and would never agree to a sale of the facility.
Health Care Referendum Passes Easily
Although for some reason the county website fails to total the votes cast county-wide in favor of the Health Care Referendum, the measure passed easily, winning every single ward in the county. Similar measures were on the ballot in communities across Wisconsin, and all of the referenda passed with flying colors. The vote total in Polk County was 14,232 to 7,179 (66/34%).
The passage of this measure should send a strong message to the Wisconsin State Legislature that health care reform must be "on the table" and acted upon in the coming legislative session. The time has come for positive change in the way health care is delivered in this state and in this nation. The idea that a patient needs to be either poor or rich to be able to afford basic health care is simply ludicrous in this day and age.
For more information, click here: Citizen Action Wisconsin.
The passage of this measure should send a strong message to the Wisconsin State Legislature that health care reform must be "on the table" and acted upon in the coming legislative session. The time has come for positive change in the way health care is delivered in this state and in this nation. The idea that a patient needs to be either poor or rich to be able to afford basic health care is simply ludicrous in this day and age.
For more information, click here: Citizen Action Wisconsin.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Health Care Referendum on the Ballot!
Polk County can send a message to Madison on November 4 that affordable health care for all must be a priority NOW! Cast your "Yes" Vote on the Health Care Referendum.
The Referendum does not specify exactly which health care plan should be adopted. The Referendum simply tells our legislature that health care must be their number 1 priority, and that they should get to work immediately to find a way to provide affordable health care for Wisconsin residents.
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The Referendum does not specify exactly which health care plan should be adopted. The Referendum simply tells our legislature that health care must be their number 1 priority, and that they should get to work immediately to find a way to provide affordable health care for Wisconsin residents.
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Friday, October 10, 2008
Economic Impact of Golden Age Manor: the Rest of the Story, JoAnn Hallquist
The Ledger’s October 2nd edition reports Golden Age Manor losses at $8.1 million over the last 10 years. Sorry, but this isn’t the correct number to focus on. The losses over the last 10 years totaled $2.4 million. Why the difference?
The federal government pays the government-owned nursing homes, not just Golden Age Manor, to stay in business through a program known as the Intergovernmental Transfer Program (now called Supplemental Payments Program). Those federal funds enter Polk County to help pay our county nursing home, Golden Age Manor, for the extra costs associated with a high percentage of Medicaid residents – costs that are above and beyond the inadequate reimbursement under the Medicaid program. Those funds have totaled $5.5 million over the last 10 years.
Everything was fine as long as Golden Age Manor made a profit and contributed to the county coffers. The problem of the last ten years is that the County Board members see losses on the balance sheet – the County has transferred $2.1 million ($207,040 annual average) to Golden Age over the past 10 years. If the projections are accurate, Golden Age will realize a profit for 2008 due to numerous factors including a change in billing by a new therapy contractor.
A key question: what happens if the Golden Age Manor becomes a private nursing home? The number one responsibility of the private owner is to make a profit for its owners. To accomplish this at Golden Age Manor, there will be many difficult decisions such as to reduce costs and/or change the revenue sources. Based on what happens in other private nursing homes, they could cut employee wages and benefits or reduce the number of Medicaid patients. The Alzheimer’s unit could be converted to another use because of the high cost of operation.
No federal funds will be available to cover the extra costs no longer being reimbursed. I repeat that the federal funds will no longer be available to the Polk County economy if a private nursing home replaces Golden Age. The federal funds create a significant economic impact in Polk County - an annual average of $547,207 over the last 10 years. Those funds pay for wages, benefits, supplies and other purchases; those purchases are turned over in the economy because the stores where the money is spent benefit, and they in turn are able to employ more people, make more purchases. That is the economic multiplier theory but it is real in Polk County. I am still checking how many times that money turns over in our economy but it is anywhere from 2 to 4 times and possibly higher. Some of those sales are subject to the half percent sales tax and contribute to Polk County revenue. Golden Age employees live in many locations in the County so the impact is not confined to the southeastern part of the county.
There is an additional revenue loss that occurs in this way: If all five nursing homes – all privately owned – turn away a Medicaid patient because they can’t provide the services, the County is liable under Wisconsin State Statutes (Chapter 51.42) for treating them at other out-of-county facilities that are equipped to accept them. Those facilities charge $740 per day and more. Polk County has to pick up the tab under the Human Services budget. If one person can’t be handled in a county facility, then the average annual loss of $207,040 would be exhausted in 279 patient days.
The County engaged in strategic planning last year and probably all County Board members would agree that the County needs to pursue economic development projects. Yet, it forgot that objective in trying to transfer the Golden Age Manor to private hands.
It is not easy to estimate the full economic impact of a sale but it is clear that the county transfers to cover past losses do not tell the full story.
JoAnn Hallquist
715-268-6134
Town of Lincoln
The federal government pays the government-owned nursing homes, not just Golden Age Manor, to stay in business through a program known as the Intergovernmental Transfer Program (now called Supplemental Payments Program). Those federal funds enter Polk County to help pay our county nursing home, Golden Age Manor, for the extra costs associated with a high percentage of Medicaid residents – costs that are above and beyond the inadequate reimbursement under the Medicaid program. Those funds have totaled $5.5 million over the last 10 years.
Everything was fine as long as Golden Age Manor made a profit and contributed to the county coffers. The problem of the last ten years is that the County Board members see losses on the balance sheet – the County has transferred $2.1 million ($207,040 annual average) to Golden Age over the past 10 years. If the projections are accurate, Golden Age will realize a profit for 2008 due to numerous factors including a change in billing by a new therapy contractor.
A key question: what happens if the Golden Age Manor becomes a private nursing home? The number one responsibility of the private owner is to make a profit for its owners. To accomplish this at Golden Age Manor, there will be many difficult decisions such as to reduce costs and/or change the revenue sources. Based on what happens in other private nursing homes, they could cut employee wages and benefits or reduce the number of Medicaid patients. The Alzheimer’s unit could be converted to another use because of the high cost of operation.
No federal funds will be available to cover the extra costs no longer being reimbursed. I repeat that the federal funds will no longer be available to the Polk County economy if a private nursing home replaces Golden Age. The federal funds create a significant economic impact in Polk County - an annual average of $547,207 over the last 10 years. Those funds pay for wages, benefits, supplies and other purchases; those purchases are turned over in the economy because the stores where the money is spent benefit, and they in turn are able to employ more people, make more purchases. That is the economic multiplier theory but it is real in Polk County. I am still checking how many times that money turns over in our economy but it is anywhere from 2 to 4 times and possibly higher. Some of those sales are subject to the half percent sales tax and contribute to Polk County revenue. Golden Age employees live in many locations in the County so the impact is not confined to the southeastern part of the county.
There is an additional revenue loss that occurs in this way: If all five nursing homes – all privately owned – turn away a Medicaid patient because they can’t provide the services, the County is liable under Wisconsin State Statutes (Chapter 51.42) for treating them at other out-of-county facilities that are equipped to accept them. Those facilities charge $740 per day and more. Polk County has to pick up the tab under the Human Services budget. If one person can’t be handled in a county facility, then the average annual loss of $207,040 would be exhausted in 279 patient days.
The County engaged in strategic planning last year and probably all County Board members would agree that the County needs to pursue economic development projects. Yet, it forgot that objective in trying to transfer the Golden Age Manor to private hands.
It is not easy to estimate the full economic impact of a sale but it is clear that the county transfers to cover past losses do not tell the full story.
JoAnn Hallquist
715-268-6134
Town of Lincoln
Sunday, September 21, 2008
What Next in the GAM Saga?
The upcoming September 30 Board Meeting will address the GAM situation, which is turning out to be a total fiasco for the County. It's too bad, because the money Polk County has blown on legal fees would have gone a long way toward running the facility. Nevertheless, it is what it is, and we have to move forward from here.
My feeling is that the deal that was struck with Rice Properties was a sweetheart arrangement for Rice Properties. It was never in the best interests of the County, the residents, or the employees of the Golden Age Manor.
As our population ages, the services offered by the Golden Age Manor become increasingly important.
If Rice Properties could operate the Golden Age Manor at a profit, is there any reason why Polk County cannot operate the facility to break even? We don't expect the nursing home to turn a profit and help reduce our taxes, do we? We don't expect the Sheriff's Department to show a profit, or the Highway Department.
When Jim Drabek, a concerned citizen, brought the matter of the deed restriction to the attention of the County Board, he was treated disrespectfully and essentially ignored. I guess Mr. Drabek got the last laugh with the Appellate Court decision last week.
Gene Sollman also deserves credit for hanging in there in the face of some pretty vocal opposition on the Golden Age Manor Board. He did the right thing for Polk County.
My feeling is that the deal that was struck with Rice Properties was a sweetheart arrangement for Rice Properties. It was never in the best interests of the County, the residents, or the employees of the Golden Age Manor.
As our population ages, the services offered by the Golden Age Manor become increasingly important.
If Rice Properties could operate the Golden Age Manor at a profit, is there any reason why Polk County cannot operate the facility to break even? We don't expect the nursing home to turn a profit and help reduce our taxes, do we? We don't expect the Sheriff's Department to show a profit, or the Highway Department.
When Jim Drabek, a concerned citizen, brought the matter of the deed restriction to the attention of the County Board, he was treated disrespectfully and essentially ignored. I guess Mr. Drabek got the last laugh with the Appellate Court decision last week.
Gene Sollman also deserves credit for hanging in there in the face of some pretty vocal opposition on the Golden Age Manor Board. He did the right thing for Polk County.
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