The Knox County Board chose to table any action on the creation of an advisory board for the nursing home.
The board was intended to be filled by community members with backgrounds in healthcare or nursing home operations, and provide oversight to the county-owned facility.
Indication during Wednesday night’s meeting was that legal counsel was being consulted before any action was to be taken.
Additionally, the new board was given their committee assignments along with a new configuration of the committees. The building committee has now been absorbed into the committee that oversees the Sheriff Department, Jail, Courthouse, and Mary Davis Home. While the nursing home is now being overseen by its own committee.
Board members also approved some new rule changes for the new year, including a time limit of three minutes on public comment and a requirement for those who choose to give comment to sign up before meetings start.
Prior to the start of the meeting, board members heard public comment related to public safety concerns.
Assistant State’s Attorney Sabrina Stroops spoke regarding the need for an additional prosecutor.
She had spoken at the county’s finance committee meeting, along with State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer, about the need for another attorney in the office, due to the overwhelming caseload.
Additionally, the county board heard public comment from an Altona resident who had concerns regarding the Altona-Oneida-Wataga Ambulance Service, which is being dissolved.
Board members Jared Hawkinson and Sarah Varner shared their concerns over the dissolution of the ambulance service.
