URBANA – Financial conditions have improved enough at the Champaign County Nursing Home that the facility might be able to begin paying back some of the $330,000 it owes the county's general fund.

Members of the nursing home board of directors are scheduled to discuss repayment options at a meeting Monday night.

County board member Alan Nudo, who also is a member of the nursing home board, said he would support making nominal repayments to the general fund.

"I wouldn't have a problem doing something good faith now just to show that there's an intention to pay," the Champaign Republican said.

"If board members want to see some good-faith effort made, I think the nursing home board ought to take it up and see if we can fit it into the budget. A thousand dollars a month might be something that shows good faith until we get more occupancy."

One option to be discussed by the nursing home board is a yearly $11,000 payment to the county general fund. The other is to make payments as the nursing home has adequate resources.

The home has made a profit in its last four months, according to reports to the nursing home board. And its occupancy has been at or near the target of 195 patients a day for 11 consecutive months.

Board Chair C. Pius Weibel said two county board members had asked whether the nursing home could begin to pay off the loan.

He noted, however, that the nursing home is already paying off a $4 million construction loan with annual payments of about $300,000.

"It's all our money as far as I'm concerned. It's just a matter of different accounts," Weibel said. "I'd say that it's more important to pay off the bigger loan."