Holmes County Home Proposes Rate Hikes, Staffing Changes to Close Deficit

Holmes County Home Executive Director Deb Miller outlined a package of rate increases, staffing adjustments, and longer-term revenue ideas to county commissioners as officials looked to close a budget shortfall that threatens services at the facility. The measures, presented at a Jan. 15 meeting, aim to shore up operations while maintaining resident care.

Miller proposed raising resident rates across three room categories: shared-room rates would increase from $1,638 to $2,000 per month, private rooms from $2,075 to $2,500, and private rooms with a bathroom from $2,500 to $3,000. County staff estimated those adjustments would generate about $77,000 in additional revenue, a targeted lift for the Home’s 2026 budget gap.

Beyond billing changes, commissioners discussed staffing adjustments intended to safely open additional beds on the Home’s second floor. Administrators said increased staffing would be required to bring more beds online while maintaining state staffing ratios and resident safety; that affects payroll costs and the timing for any added capacity. Expanding available beds could reduce local wait times for long-term care placement, but will depend on hiring and certification steps before those rooms are occupied.

Miller also emphasized that federal Medicare and state Medicaid reimbursement limits create a ceiling on what the Home can recoup through payor rates, restricting how much revenue can come from insurance programs. Because those programs set fixed daily or per-service rates, the Home’s proposals rely more on private-pay adjustments and other local revenue strategies to balance the books.

Commissioners and Home leaders discussed a longer-term revenue option: leasing county-owned land adjacent to the facility for development of affordable housing. That approach is intended as an ongoing income stream and could also address local housing needs for seniors or staff, though it would require planning, zoning review, and developer interest before generating funds.

Local auxiliary groups will remain focused on resident quality-of-life improvements rather than daily operations, preserving their role in funding activities, outings, and comfort items that fall outside operational budgets. That separation clarifies which costs will be covered by rate changes versus volunteer and auxiliary support.

For Holmes County residents and families, the proposals mean potential increases in monthly out-of-pocket costs for private-pay residents and a phased effort to expand bed availability. County commissioners will continue evaluating the measures; residents should follow upcoming commission agendas and Home communications for final decisions and implementation timelines.