The CEO told inspectors on November 9th that he believed the bills were paid on November 3rd. He wasn't sure.
Gas service had already been disconnected. The facility's gas vendor confirmed payment of $747.44 was received on November 4th, one day after the CEO thought all bills had been handled. The automated system revealed the current balance was zero after payment, with the next meter reading scheduled for November 11th.
The electric company received its payment of $21,036.65 on November 10th, the same day inspectors were completing their investigation.
During interviews, the CEO explained that bills were sent to a company that managed accounts and payments, but the outside firm needed his instruction to actually send money. He said the administrator had told him and accounts payable which bills needed to be paid and when, and he had instructed them to pay.
The CEO could not provide receipts because accounts payable was closed during the inspection. He offered no comment on how non-payment of utilities could affect residents.
Inspectors observed the facility had water, electricity, and gas services during their November 9th and 10th visits. The timing suggests services remained active through the inspection period despite the outstanding balances.
The facility's own administrative policies place full responsibility for operations on its governing board. According to undated facility records, "The governing board shall be responsible for the management and operation of the facility" and serves as "the supreme authority" with "full legal authority and responsibility."
Those policies specifically require the governing board to provide "oversight of facility care and services in accordance with professional standards" and "provision of a safe physical environment equipped and staffed to maintain the facility and services."
The inspection found the utility payment failures affected many residents, though inspectors classified the violation as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain essential services including utilities. The facility's inability to keep current on basic operational expenses raises questions about financial management and its impact on resident care.
The CEO's uncertainty about payment dates and reliance on a third-party management company to handle critical utility bills suggests a disconnect between facility leadership and essential operations. When gas service was actually cut off, the facility had to scramble to restore it while federal inspectors were on site.
The $21,036 electric bill represents a substantial sum for a nursing home, indicating either high usage or extended non-payment. The gas bill of $747 was smaller but still resulted in service disconnection.
Both utility companies confirmed payments were received only after inspectors began their investigation, with the electric payment arriving on the final day of the inspection process.
The facility's governing board policies emphasize their responsibility for maintaining a safe environment, but the utility payment crisis suggests gaps in financial oversight that could compromise resident safety and comfort.
Grace Care Center's struggle with basic utility payments occurred during a complaint-driven inspection, indicating other issues may have prompted the federal investigation. The facility's inability to maintain current accounts with essential service providers adds another layer of concern about its operational stability.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Grace Care Center of Nocona from 2025-11-10 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.