Macon County Nursing Home District seeks tax levy approval on August 6th

MACON, MO -- In 1965, a group of citizens established and formed the first Board of Directors of the Macon County Nursing Home District - shortly after establishing the district through provisions of Missouri State Statute, the board presented a 35 cent per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation operating levy for construction. Once construction was completed, this levy was dropped back to 15 cents. For the first time in 50 years, voters within the Macon County Nursing Home District will vote on a proposed increase operating levy of 20 cents additional to the original 15 cents, raising the levy to 35 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation on August 6, 2019. This levy would only affect those that reside in the Macon County Nursing Home District. There are three nursing home districts that encompass Macon County. This increase only affects the nursing home line on your tax receipt.

There is a variety of reasons for the purposed tax levy increase. The main reason is the fifty year old building. Multiple repairs over the past few years including sprinkler systems, generators, water tanks, heating and air units, etc. have cost well over $500,000. Unfunded mandates by Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as a cut to the Medicaid reimbursement have been catastrophic to a lot of nursing homes. According to Missouri Health Care Association, most nursing homes have more than a $20.00 a day deficit to take care of a recipient of Medicaid who resides in the home. To be specific, Loch Haven has approximately 50 Medicaid recipients within the home, the district has to make up roughly $1,000 dollars per day due to the deficit from Medicaid reimbursement. Currently, Loch Haven Nursing Home has 100 skilled nursing home residents and 25 assisted living residents.

The Macon County Nursing Home District-Loch Haven is a non-profit nursing home. Being a district home, means that district owns Loch Haven, not an individual. There is a board of six directors, who volunteer and are not compensated in any way, that serve as the governing body of the home. Loch Haven does not employee any high paid consultants. Referrals to Loch Haven whom have resided in the district, are given priority for placement, however, the needs and safety of these individuals and current residents are considered before acceptance. The levy has not been asked to increase before, because of a couple generous estates left to the district years ago. This money has run out because of the cost of employee benefits, wages, repairs, and utilities. Multiple cuts have been made for the past couple of years to adjust to the cuts at the state and federal levels. Nevertheless, with the older building, there is not enough cuts that can be made to offset the expenses of the repairs. This is why the levy is vital at this point.

Kelsey Hinshaw, Administrator and Jace Weber, Board Member, have spoken at more than 20 meetings regarding the levy information. They have been very transparent and willing to share all information with the public to educate on the issue. “Loch Haven employs 220 individuals. This is a 5 million dollar annual payroll that is put directly back into Macon County. All local businesses felt the loss when the mine closed and when Toastmaster closed. Loch Haven is called home to more than 120 residents, let’s keep our elderly close to home,” Jace Weber has pointed out at multiple informational meetings. Kelsey Hinshaw has said, “We are more than willing to meet with individuals or groups who have question regarding the levy increase. Our books are open to anyone and we will answer any questions.” If people have unanswered questions, they need to contact Kelsey or Jace. Rhonda Anno, Macon County Collector, has stated “If anyone would like to know what their increase would be regarding the levy, please contact our office.” The collector’s office number is 660-385-3214.

The ballot language for the Nursing Home Tax Levy Election is:

“Shall the Macon County Nursing Home District be authorized to increase the annual rate of property tax from 14.24 cents ($0.1424) to 35.00 cents ($0.3500) on the hundred dollars assessed valuations?”

Voters within the district will get to vote either “Yes” or “No” on August 6th, 2019.