Helping you understand the River Bluff Nursing Home question on the June 28 ballot
On June 8, the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford invited Winnebago County Board members Jean Crosby and Jaime Salgado to discuss the proposed advisory question of increasing the tax Levied by Winnebago County. This advisory question will appear on the ballot for the June 28 primary. It reads as follows:
Shall the County of Winnebago, Illinois continue to own and operate a short-term rehabilitative/long-term skilled nursing facility, for the residents of all incomes, by increasing the amount levied by the County from 0.0445% to 0.1%, for the specific purpose of maintaining the River Bluff Nursing Home?
What is an advisory question versus a referendum? An advisory question is simply one that asks for public opinion. Unlike a referendum, it is not binding.
In other words, the county board is asking for citizen advice. The board wants to know what residents feel makes sense for their community.
More: Referendum roundup: A look at local proposals that will appear on Illinois primary ballot
Salgado explained that it has been 33 years since the last levy increase. This .05% increase will mean a home worth $150,000 may see a property tax increase of $25 a year, or $2 a month. This .05% will bring in $2.2 million yearly, allowing continued support of River Bluff.
Without this increase, River Bluff draws from the general fund, draining funds for other projects. These new funds would be critical to not only sustain River Bluff but also help balance the budget. What does the general fund budget pay for? It pays for everything except for public safety. For example, the general fund pays for road maintenance, infrastructure, etc.
What happens if the advisory question fails? According to Crosby, it leaves three options:
1. It stays as is. River Bluff will continue to be short-funded and draw from the general fund.
2. It will close, potentially saving the county money.
3. The county continues to operate River Bluff while tightening up the budget elsewhere.
And if it passes? The county will have an additional $2.2 million to preserve River Bluff for the community while protecting the county’s budget.
However, as Crosby pointed out, there is both a human and fiscal side to continuing to fund River Bluff. Both she and Salgado agreed that River Bluff is a critical component of the community. It serves skilled long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, dementia and Alzheimer care, as well as palliative and hospice services.
Why not go to a private care system rather than continuing to sustain River Bluff?
According to Salgado, private nursing facilities are generally not willing or able to take over a public nursing home and do not have the space to add the needed beds. Closing it could potentially leave the current 140 patients without care.
Nursing homes typically cost $6,000 per month for a patient’s care, above the means of the average citizen and certainly not an option for low income. River Bluff accepts Medicare plans and works with Medicaid to ensure a smooth transition so that residents are assured of funding. Private facilities do not accept Medicaid, leaving the most vulnerable without an option.
With their taxes, county residents each pay for a portion of River Bluff and are eligible for its services. Residents of Winnebago County over the age of 18 in need of skilled or intermediate nursing can be admitted to River Bluff. While few counties operate care facilities, River Bluff has operated for 150 years and Winnebago County citizens rely on it.
As Crosby indicated, the county will have to balance the question of the human cost of closing River Bluff down versus the fiscal cost of continuing to support it.
When you vote on Tuesday, please make sure you vote on the advisory question. The County Board is depending on citizen input.
To hear more of the discussion, go to www.lwvgr.org.
Claire Flynn McIntyre is president of the League of Women Voters Greater Rockford. The League is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. Membership is open to persons age 16 and older.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Explaining the River Bluff Nursing Home advisory question
