BUTLER TWP — Although Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s losses through November 2011 are higher than budgeted, the year-end deficit is expected to narrow the gap.

According to Sunnyview records, the Butler County-owned nursing home had a net loss of $628,837 through November, which was $213,065 higher than the budgeted $415,772.

However, Bill Kepple, Sunnyview fiscal director, said today the state Department of Welfare is funding $54,000 more than was budgeted for the end of 2011.

When nursing homes house a higher percentage of Medicaid recipients, the facilities become eligible for performance bonuses from the state.

Kepple said Sunnyview’s finances also will benefit from the county charging it less for indirect costs, which include paying a portion of government center salaries such as personnel and the county solicitor.

Between 2003 and 2009, Sunnyview’s deficit ran as high as $1 million in some of those years.

The nursing home in 2010 showed a net profit of $196,030.

The county commissioners, who serve as the Sunnyview board, didn’t discuss the deficit at the Sunnyview meeting today.