By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, September 11, 2025, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Commissioner President Terry Rummel, Scott Lirot, and Bart Westfall were in attendance.
A Hillside County Living Nursing Home discussion opened with the subject of a “Writ of Mandamus” from the Ohio Supreme Court, which requires Medicaid to follow state rules on reimbursement rates.
Commissioners heard that Medicaid had not followed the law in past calculations, resulting in significant losses dating back to July 2024.
Rate changes dropped daily reimbursements from $254.56 to $212.57, creating an estimated unreimbursed loss of nearly $238,000 for 2025 alone.
Hillside Executive Director Darrel Moore explained that while they may be able to recoup between $517,000 and $624,000 through pending appeals, funds would not be available until 2026, leaving continued uncertainty.
Commissioners and Moore discussed whether repayment would come in a lump sum or be spread out, and whether future rates would adjust automatically. It was noted that Medicaid would need to audit its system to determine final figures, though no in-house audit would be conducted locally.
Until the appeal process concludes, Hillside will continue to operate under the lower rates, which representatives stressed places the facility at a disadvantage.
Even if corrected rates are implemented, projections still show Hillside losing around $130,000 annually because costs exceed reimbursement.
Further conversation examined the effect on cash flow and the need for county support. Hillside is currently facing losses estimated at $650,000 for 2025, attributed largely to Medicaid shortfalls.
Commissioners were told that expenses continue to outpace revenue despite efforts to manage costs. Officials emphasized the difficulty of operating under the government reimbursement schedules, explaining that private businesses and government facilities often handle finances differently, with Hillside operating on a cash basis.
Commissioners further reflected on the broader landscape, noting that the number of nursing homes in Ohio has dropped from more than 1,100 before the pandemic to just over 900 today, with Hillside among only 14 county-run nursing homes left in the state.
Moore emphasizes that despite financial challenges, Hillside remains committed to a high level of care, crediting its employees’ dedication and continued hard work.
While challenges remain, the Commissioners acknowledged that temporary solutions may be needed until reimbursements are corrected and financial stability is restored.
Following the update, the Commissioners approved the minutes from the September 9, 2025, meeting and the agenda with no corrections. The payment of bills was approved, along with supplemental transfers for the Commissioners’ Office and IT Department.
An agreement between Owner and Contractor regarding Project 6-2025 was passed with Gerken Paving. The 2026 Brownfield and demolition lead entity was reviewed by the MVPO as well.
At 9:00 a.m., a further discussion was held regarding Ditch #744 Ebersole. Brian Davis, former Williams County Commissioner, took the place of Terry Rummel to avoid a conflict of interest. County Engineer Todd Roth and Drainage Engineer Brian Fritsch joined to further discuss and inform the Board.
“We have two property owners that are not in agreement and will not come to a resolution together,” Roth began. “This petition is to simply remove obstructions.
“We are not proposing a project, in terms of a construction project, because we don’t see one. We are not widening the ditch, we’re not adding depth, we’re not clearing trees.”
Roth continued to describe two possible options the Commissioners can take. The first is putting the ditch under permanent maintenance under the drainage department.
While not overstepping the land-owner’s wishes, the county engineering department will be able to move forward to clear the naturally occurring obstruction.
The second, “Under 61-51-13, we can remove an obstruction placed or negligently allowed to remain therein by a person,” Todd says, “that gives you the ability to remove it and put it to the expense of the owner. You may remove an obstruction deposited by nature, and the expense will be paid with county funds.”
“In this section of code, you have a method for if somebody obstructs a waterway, and you have a method for if a beaver dam is built. The difference is who is going to pay for it – the landowner, or the county,” Roth affirmed.
The Commissioners moved forward to officially schedule a public hearing regarding the Ebersole ditch on October 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. A site visit will be held with the engineering department in the meantime.
Project #7-2025 bid opening was held at 9:30 a.m. Only one bid was received for the re-stripping of road lines. Griffin Pavement Marking was awarded the bid for $97,100. A brief health insurance review was held with Andres, O’Neil & Lowe, with representatives Russ Davies, Beth Pool, and associates.
JFS Director Kylee Towne held an office update with Christie Roan, Fiscal Officer. They explain the necessity for the recent contract extension for Community Teaching Homes, Inc., which specializes in child placement. With a proposed $380,000 contract increase, this amount is to cover expected child placement costs throughout the rest of 2025.
“Everything that has been a mess in the last 24 months is being cleaned up. I can see already in some small changes the differences in amounts,” Roan states.
“I think we have it almost figured out and cleaned up.” She describes the importance of 4-E contracts and their reimbursement rates.
“The number we are short is down exponentially; it possibly could be nothing by December,” Roan says. “We are still playing the long game. Even with my initial estimates being low, we are still going to end the year with a positive $20,000. When we first came to you, we were going to be short $700,000.”
An executive session was held afterwards at 11:03 a.m. with Kylee Towne and Christie Roan to discuss confidential matters. The Commissioners adjourned afterwards with no action taken.