Rate increase for Restorium residents
Boundary County Commissioners Ben Robertson (left) and Tim Bertling at the July Joint County and Cities meeting.
Photo by EMILY BONSANT
BONNERS FERRY — The Boundary County commissioners voted Aug. 31 to increase rates for Restorium residents due to increasing costs.
Rates for current residents will go up by 6% and by 10% for incoming residents.
The increases will be in effect Oct. 1, 2023, as the new fiscal year begins.
Commissioner Ben Robertson said the increase was done for tax relief, by putting the costs on the facility’s residents rather than taxpayers, who fund the county’s assisted living facility.
Commissioner Chair Tim Bertling said the county has to increase costs, but doesn't want it to affect taxpayers. The increase was necessary to continue the service the Restorium provides, adding that it is the only nursing home of its kind left in Idaho.
Due to the increase being more than 5%, the commissioners went to a public hearing to consider the increase. No one spoke in favor or against the increase; rather, they asked for more information.
In several commissioner meetings throughout the year, the Restorium’s budget has been looked at as costs have surpassed what was budgeted, such as the cost of food.