DeKalb County Health & Human Services Committee met Nov. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, November 3, 2025, in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East in Sycamore, Illinois. Chair Rukisha Crawford called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The members present were Tim Bagby, Kim Coovert, Meryl Domina, Suzanne Fahnestock, Elizabeth Lundeen, Michelle Pickett, and Chair Rukisha Crawford. A quorum was established with all seven members present.
Rehab & Nursing Center (DCRNC) Administrator Bart Becker, DCRNC Oversight Board Vice Chair Mary Hatch, and County Board Vice Chair Ellingsworth Webb were also present.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Tim Bagby moved to approve the agenda and Kim Coovert seconded the motion. The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Elizabeth Lundeen moved to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2025 meeting, Suzanne Fahnestock seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
DCRNC Oversight Board Vice Chair Mary Hatch referenced the four DCRNC billing and consultation proposals contained in the meeting packet and recommended that the Health & Human Services Committee move forward with the proposal provided by Jordan Healthcare.
Hatch referenced the county’s current contract with Jordan Healthcare, Jordan’s familiarity with county systems, and their industry experience as reasons to select them. She added that the DCRNC operation would be negatively impacted by the significant amount of time it would take to transition to a new service provider.
Hatch raised concerns with the qualifications of the other firms, including the lack of skilled nursing facility experience and the poor quality of the proposals that were submitted.
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
DCRNC Billing and Consultation Proposals
Chair Crawford requested that Bart Becker provide an overview of the proposals. Becker stated that the information Mary Hatch provided during Public Comments adequately summarized his thoughts on the proposals. He added that in consideration of all the elements, Jordan Healthcare is the only qualified firm.
Becker recommended that the county contract with Jordan Healthcare for one year and then solicit for bids again in May or June, which would then allow ample time to thoroughly investigate options and develop a plan to reduce dependency on an outside firm in managing the operation.
Suzanne Fahnestock emphasized the importance of developing training materials with the information and experience gained in working with Jordan Healthcare.
Becker and committee members discussed potential benefits of securing a two-year contract instead of a one-year deal. The amount of time needed to fully transition to independent operation and the potential financial benefits of a two-year contract were reviewed.
Becker outlined that sufficient resources would need to be in place before the operation will have the ability to function without a consulting firm. Committee members inquired about operational details and objectives for the DCRNC over the next five years and expressed concern that the operation does not currently have a five-year plan in place. Becker indicated that the DCRNC isn’t currently receiving the same level of administrative support it once had, which is hampering progress and adding to the resource strain
Following committee inquiry, Becker stated that overall, he is pleased with the quality of training provided to DCRNC staff by Jordan Healthcare. He added that the amount of training provided is largely dependent on staff availability and individual employee skillset.
Kim Coovert inquired with Becker on the current plan developed by Jordan Healthcare and whether a new or updated plan would be provided if a new contract is signed with Jordan. Becker stated that providing a new or updated plan would not be part of the new contract. Fahnestock asked Becker about the true needs of the operation and Becker responded that a two-year agreement would be the better plan.
Following an inquiry regarding networking with other county-owned nursing homes, Ellingsworth Webb explained that DeKalb County is participating in an active network of seventeen county owned nursing homes and that the network shares best-practices and industry knowledge. He added that he agrees staff training materials should be developed and mentioned that DCRNC finances are trending in the right direction.
The committee discussed balancing the current need to continue with the billing and consulting service with the objective of becoming an independent operation. Committee members agreed to potentially support a two-year contract with further discussion of options to continue in the next Executive Committee meeting.
ORDINANCES
None
RESOLUTIONS
None
FY2026 BUDGET
FY2026 Budget Appeals
None
Committee’s Questions & Review of Departments’ FY2026 Budget Requests Tim Bagby inquired about the disposition of the opioid settlement funds that was delegated to the Mental Health Board. Bagby also outlined prior efforts to spend down the Senior Services Fund balance and reminded the committee members that the fund still has a significant balance.
Committee members agreed to request that Mental Health Board Director Deanna Cada provide an update on both the opioid settlement funds and the Senior Services Fund balance during the Senior Tax Levy Process discussion scheduled for early 2026.
OLD BUSINESS
Committee members inquired with Chair Crawford about prior discussion regarding potential actions the committee can take to prevent animal cruelty in the county. Tim Bagby mentioned that he has asked Interim County Administrator Derek Hiland to gather ordinances from surrounding counties that address this concern. Chair Crawford stated that further discussion will take place.
NEW BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Michelle Pickett and seconded by Elizabeth Lundeen to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/packet-hhs-12012025-1.pdf
