The Wauneta Village Board has held executive sessions to discuss possible litigation at recent meetings. At last week’s village board meeting it was revealed that the source of that possible litigation was over the name of the nursing home.
    The village has been contacted by a lawyer from Washington, D.C. who represents Sunrise Senior Living, LLC. The corporation runs facilities throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Canada offering services in long term care, skilled nursing, independent living and Alzheimer’s care.
    It has been determined that the village’s options are either to change Sunrise Height’s name or litigate.
    Nursing home chairperson Page Johnston said he has begun inquiring with the State of Nebraska regarding what is involved with changing the name of the facility.
    Board members said if the name is changed they may use the opportunity to rebrand the facility to more accurately show all the range of services provided.

Nursing home financials
    The financial status of the nursing home gained some discussion again this month during the village board meeting. During discussion board members noted the nursing home is making some money, but not as much as it had been budgeted to make.
    Items that were mentioned as being over budget were health insurance and labor costs, specifically contract labor costs.
    At the end of the discussion board members said they felt the financial state of the nursing home was ok, but that they want to be mindful of the financial status and keep an eye on the future.
    Johnston said he feels the board needs to have a discussion with the administrator and management company as to why the nursing home’s financials are not as far in the black as expected.

To read the full story, subscribe to the e-edition online or call the Breeze at 308-394-5389 to subscribe to the print edition.