MAYVILLE – The 22 member ad-hoc committee charged with reviewing a recent financial viability study of the Chautauqua County Home has come forward with its cost-saving recommendations. After nearly two hours of discussions Wednesday night in Mayville, the panel agreed to forward four different recommendations to the county legislature that could result in eventually saving the home $1,325,000 per year.
However, County Home Director Tim Hellwig said he believes some of the cost saving recommendations – which are based on suggestions from the study completed by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) – were over estimated. Regardless, members of the panel felt that the recommendations did have some merit and moved forward with passing them along to county officials.
County legislator John Runkle (R-Cassadaga) served as the chair of the ad-hoc committee and said he was pleased with the process. He also said that due to some miscommunication, there was a misunderstanding as to what the committee was charged to accomplish. He clarified that the panel’s role was to review the CGR report and come forward with appropriate cost-saving recommendations. In no way was the panel charged with offering its thoughts on the possible sale of the county home, something that has been pushed by County Executive Greg Edwards.
The CGR report actually outlines more than $2.3 million worth of cost-saving recommendations. However, over $900,000 involve concessions and restructuring of wages and benefits with employees. But because of NY State Law, the panel was not allowed to make any contract recommendations that could impact labor negotiations.
Among the recommendations from the CGR report is the implementation of an electronic medical record keeping system, reducing the number of staff positions at the facility, market the home toward potential patients who can fully afford to pay for its services, and implement services that make better use of therapy and treatment provided by the facility.
The future of the cash-strapped county home is expected to once again be discussed during the legislature’s full voting session on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Legislature Chambers. It will be open to the public.
Audio from last night’s meeting will be provided later today on wrfalp.wordpress.com.
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