MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — Landowners in a southwest Nebraska county may be asked to pay higher taxes to support a struggling nursing home in McCook.

Red Willow County officials may ask voters to support a tax increase later this year to help cover the Hillcrest Nursing Home’s deficit. If voters don’t support the additional spending, the county may look at selling the nursing home.

Hillcrest administrator Colinda Nappa says the home is working to improve its financials, but it’s not clear how much of the nearly $500,000 it is owed can be collected.

The county already agreed last fall to help pay some of Hillcrest’s $608,000 in unpaid bills, but now it looks like they will have to raise additional money.