Counties will bear fiscal support of New River in transition
Jesse Campbell
County managers and interim officials with New River Behavioral HealthCare continued to chart the transition for a new service provider at a meeting Monday morning as the final days of the organization begin to unfold.
Managers agreed Monday to pay for the services of contracted physicians and therapists, some of which have not been paid since August, along with past due utilities, property insurance, and other general operating costs.
Managers had already agreed to pay for last Friday’s payroll.
“We are in dire straits,” said interim Chief Executive Officer Sharon Wilcox in regards to the current provider’s past due expenses. “Some of these physicians refuse to come to work until they are paid.”
A week after her selection as interim finance officer by the five-county board for New River, Amy Oliver expressed her desire to step down. She has agreed to continue assisting the board until her replacement is found.
Although county officials still do not know what accounted for the provider’s current financial state, they do know that NRBHC had reported financial losses as early as 2007.
According to Ann Wilson, an auditor who has worked closely with NRBHC in the past, the provider incurred a $5.8 million loss for the two-year period leading up to fiscal year 2011.
Officials from the five affected counties formed a new board upon the dissolution of a 160A interlocal agreement to assist in the transition to a new service provider for Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Watauga and Avery counties.
County officials revealed that Daymark Recovery Services will serve the area as the new mental health service provider. NRBHC will cease to exist on Nov. 15.
Daymark Services has expressed interest in using NRBHC’s current buildings once the transition is complete.
Managers agreed Monday to pay for the services of contracted physicians and therapists, some of which have not been paid since August, along with past due utilities, property insurance, and other general operating costs.
Managers had already agreed to pay for last Friday’s payroll.
“We are in dire straits,” said interim Chief Executive Officer Sharon Wilcox in regards to the current provider’s past due expenses. “Some of these physicians refuse to come to work until they are paid.”
A week after her selection as interim finance officer by the five-county board for New River, Amy Oliver expressed her desire to step down. She has agreed to continue assisting the board until her replacement is found.
Although county officials still do not know what accounted for the provider’s current financial state, they do know that NRBHC had reported financial losses as early as 2007.
According to Ann Wilson, an auditor who has worked closely with NRBHC in the past, the provider incurred a $5.8 million loss for the two-year period leading up to fiscal year 2011.
Officials from the five affected counties formed a new board upon the dissolution of a 160A interlocal agreement to assist in the transition to a new service provider for Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Watauga and Avery counties.
County officials revealed that Daymark Recovery Services will serve the area as the new mental health service provider. NRBHC will cease to exist on Nov. 15.
Daymark Services has expressed interest in using NRBHC’s current buildings once the transition is complete.