Beginning in 2015, Cedarbrook Nursing Home, Lehigh County, will have $3 million less to fund its operations.

The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners at the Aug. 26 meeting voted unanimously to approve the 2015 capital plan amounting to $45.4 million.

Included in the plan is the removal of $3 million in funding to Cedarbrook.

County Director of Administration Dan McCarthy said the decision to remove the $3 million was hastily made.

"Putting this in at the last hour and last minute and putting us in a place where we have little opportunity to respond is not the way to run an effective government," he said.

Commissioner Vic Mazziotti disagreed, saying the administration had adequate time to present a plan to the commissioners.

"You had two weeks to make your case," he said.

An ongoing point of debate for the commissioners has been the inability of Cedarbrook to properly manage its financial condition. Last year, the county provided the nursing home with $3.6 million to assist with various areas of operations.

In other business, the commissioners rejected new administrator of Cedarbrook Terry Hollinger's projection that a year is required to rehabilitate the nursing home's financial condition.

Hollinger was nominated to serve as the administrator of the nursing home

Commissioner David Jones Sr. said Hollinger must present answers and solutions to the board in a faster manner.

"This board is going to be asking you to come quickly with answers," he said

Commissioner Michael Schware agreed with Jones.

"We are not giving you a year," Schware said.

According to Hollinger, a market analysis and sales plan are being formulated for Cedarbrook. Both, he said, will help identify challenges and increase the census.

Hollinger told the commissioners his background in the business world suits the board's desire to push the nursing home into increasing profits.

Commissioner Brad Osborne asked Hollinger if he could present the commissioners with findings within the next few months.