By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Winnebago County Board members are working to establish a board of directors for River Bluff Health & Rehabilitation that will provide oversight to its operations and create a strategic plan for its long-term success.
The board will consist of nine members, including one County Board member. Those members will be appointed by County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli with approval by a majority vote of the County Board.
Winnebago County Board members unanimously approved creating the separate board of directors on Thursday during their regular board meeting.
“I believe this resolution will produce what everybody wants: a board of directors for River Bluff nursing home that will lead it forward for decades while allowing the County Board to have significant input to the members of the board of directors and in approving the bylaws that govern River Bluff,” County Board member John Buttita said during the meeting. “This resolution is only a starting point. There’s plenty of work to do yet, and now is the time to get the ball rolling.”
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River Bluff has been a focal point for the board for more than a year as members searched for ways to reduce its operational budget deficit.
In June, about 62% of voters favored increasing the property tax to support River Bluff from 0.0445% to 0.1%. The increase was expected to cost the owner of a $150,000 home an additional $25 a year.
However, board members decided about a month ago to hold off on that tax hike.
Board member Jim Webster said creating the separate board is overdue, and “something we probably should have done 10 years ago.”
Once the new board is appointed, it will organize its leadership positions and committees. It will then work to develop bylaws for its organization, which will be approved by the County Board.
“We believe that establishing this board is long overdue, and is necessary to improve the organizational structure for the governance of River Bluff,” Buttita said. “Now we need people who’ve got time and talent to devote to this board to apply.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.