The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners have decided to ring in the new year by looking more deeply into Cedarbrook Nursing Home operations.

At the Dec. 18 meeting, the commissioners agreed to consider a study of the financial operations of Cedarbrook Jan. 8 possibly to be completed by Complete HealthCare Resources-Eastern (CHR), Inc, Montgomery County. The study will cost the county $18,000.

"We would look at all aspects of the operation," said CHR Vice President Todd Wagner.

The purpose of the study will be to explore financial alternatives for the nursing home. Two potential options could be selling off Cedarbrook or maintaining operations.

Commissioner Scott Ott asked how the board should proceed regarding retaining a company to conduct the study.

"I feel uncomfortable starting to interview consultants without a recommendation from the executive," Ott said.

County Executive Matthew Croslis and County Executive-elect Thomas Muller expressed their support for the study to be conducted by CHR.

"CHR is more focused in the medical field," Croslis said.

Commissioner Thomas Creighton also provided his support for CHR.

"We are in a situation where there are a lot of people out there who do this kind of work," Creighton said. "I believe CHR has the most experience."

Commissioner Percy Dougherty said Cedarbrook should focus on becoming an independent business entity rather than primarily relying on subsidies from Lehigh County. He further said Medicaid and Medicare should be used to run the nursing home. Dougherty stressed the commissioners must make a decision soon regarding any possible study to determine the future of the nursing home.

"I feel time is of the essence," he said. "We're going to have to do something quickly."

Creighton argued Cedarbrook is losing money, specifically pointing to a transfer of $3.6 million in 2013. In 2014, Lehigh County will be providing about $6.5 million to the nursing home.

Commissioner David Jones Sr. said the commissioners have not received adequate responses to their previous inquiries from the nursing home, so a study is warranted.

"We're going to have to look to change this business model a little bit,'' Muller told the commissioners.

Commissioner Brad Osborne emphasized the county must act in an oversight role to ensure Cedarbrook is operating efficiently.

"We have a fiscal responsibility to look into that [nursing home]," Dougherty added.

The commissioners will hold its next meeting 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 in the public hearing room of the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown.