|
|
|
|
 By JENNIFER TANGEMAN
Staff Writer
Few people exhibit an enthusiasm about historical artifacts as Jim Bowsher does.
When crews working for G.A. Wintzer and Son Co. started working to build new office space on West Auglaize Street, they came across some interesting finds where a rental home had previously sat.
Jim Kent and others of Kent Surveying began finding pieces of artifacts. They called in local history buff, Bowsher, to try to figure out what the bits and pieces meant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 30 December 2009 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Assistant Managing Editor
Continuing to provide high quality care at a lower cost is what the Auglaize Acres administrator says he is aiming for with his proposed 2010 budget.
“One of the neatest things is continuing to give good care with a budget that is less this year than last,” Acres Administrator Nick Scheck said.
He said they continue to fine tune what they are doing as they look for ways to save money.
“We’re not alone in doing that,” Scheck said. “Every department in the county is doing that while continuing to do what they do to provide excellent services to the community.”
Not only is the Acres planning to spend less than certified in 2010, Scheck said they also are committed to repaying Auglaize County Commissioners more than $400,000, the bulk of which was borrowed to help with operating expenses in 2007 before Scheck was hired more than two years ago.
In 2009, $50,000 was repaid to the county and additional $50,000 is expected to be repaid by the end of January. Scheck is anticipating another $100,000 to be repaid after that to the county in 2010.
Overall, Scheck said the Acres’ 2010 proposed budget at more than $5.4 million is nearly $198,000 less than the total amount certified by the Auglaize County auditor this year, but is approximately $200,000 more than the $5.2 million spent in 2009.
“To me, that’s a great tribute to the staff and all the hard work they’ve put in to making this happen,” Scheck said. “Good things continue to happen here.”
He said they plan to buy new equipment and fix up the facility where they can as well to keep it updated.
He thanked the county for the continued trust they have shown in the Acres as demonstrated through the increased census.
Scheck said they’ve seen increases both in residents coming in for therapy and going home once it’s complete and those coming in to live out their last days.
“It’s been a year where we’ve had to do a lot of hard work, but we plan to continue with that,” Scheck said.
Auglaize County Commissioner Doug Spencer described 2009 as a great year for the Acres.
“We expect that to continue to be the norm,” Spencer said. “Auglaize Acres is going to be solvent.
“It’s great to see the quality of care continue, the census remain stable and costs drop,” he said. The Acres is a self-sustaining entity that continues to go strong.”
Spencer admitted that two years ago, he was cautiously optimistic about the future of the Acres.
“I had my reservations that it could be done, that the Acres would still be in existence in 2010,” Spencer said. “With the proper administration changes and the cooperation of the employees, the Acres is alive and well and better than ever.”
Individual line items for the proposed 2010 budget include $47,000 for official salary, $2.5 million for employee salaries, $558,800 for supplies, $15,000 for equipment, $40,000 for contract repairs, $900,000 for contract services, $35,000 for other expenses, $676,000 for hospitalization, and $360,000 for the public employee retirement system.
County Administrator Joe Lenhart said the Acres has been able to do what it was before with fewer employees by utilizing more part-time schedules as needed and keeping staffing in line with the number of residents in the county home.
Fewer employees also means less money that must be budgeted for not only salaries, but benefits, Lenhart said.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 December 2009 )
|
|
|
|
