CASSOPOLIS — With a large round of applause, one local facility was recognized by the Cass County Board of Commissioners Thursday.

During Thursday’s regularly scheduled Cass County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board recognized Cass County Medical Care Facility for the work it does in the community. Commissioner Skip Dyes presented Christian Lutes, of the Cass County Medical Care Facility, with a framed copy of the resolution.

Cass County Medical Care Facility is a government-run nursing home, located at 23770 Hospital St., Cassopolis. The facility participates in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and provides resident counseling services. Recently, the facility was awarded a five-star rating from Medicare, one of only two government-run facilities in the state to do so. Cass County Medical Care Facility has achieved a five-star rating three years in a row.

“The Cass County Board of Commissioners recognizes the efforts of the Cass County Medical Care Facility to maintain the standards that have long been a part of this facility since its inception and to continue to set the bar for nursing home care not just in Cass County but in the state of Michigan,” Dyes said as he presented the recognition. “The Cass County Board of Commissioners offers their support for the continued success of the Cass County Medical Care Facility and takes this opportunity to applaud all involved for this prestigious rating.”

Several commissioners took time at the meeting to express their respect for the Cass County Medical Care Facility.

“Thank goodness there are people like you to support our aging generation,” said Commissioner Clark Cobb. “It’s a big job, and there is more to it than a lot of people realize. Thank you for all you do.”

Commissioner Rosann Marchetti also thanked the facility, saying that she has seen the work they do in action as she has had loved ones stay at the facility.

Lutes said he was honored and humbled by the recognition from the board of commissioners.

“We are proud to be a part of the county, the community,” he said. “We are going to do you proud. We are proud to demonstrate a positive outcome and be the only five-star facility in the area.”

Going forward, Lutes said Cass County Medical Care Facility plans to continue to provide care to Cass County’s elderly population.

“We plan to expand to meet the needs of our population as the senior population expands in the coming years,” he said.

Also Thursday, the Cass County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the hiring of Jeff Carmen for the position of county administrator. Since February, Carmen has been serving in the position of interim administrator following the resignation of Karen Folks in January.