County eyes detention deal

The county is eyeing a contract that would provide a discount for juvenile detention services, but the Jay County Commissioners want to try to lock in the good rate for a longer period.
Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison presented the commissioners with a draft contract from MRDC, Muncie, to provide juvenile detention center services for the county at a rate of $89 per person per night up to 100 nights or one year, whichever comes first. MRDC would require the county to pay $8,900 up front.
Hutchison informed the commissioners that utilizing MRDC would save about $20 to $25 compared to other detention centers and that the company would also provide transport for court appearances and other required travel.
Hutchison also said that the 100 days the contract would provide would probably be used up by the county within six months.The commissioners agreed that the savings look good, but were unsure what would happen to the rate after that 100-day contract period.
The commissioners spoke briefly with probation officer Ron May and asked him to contact MRDC to see if the county could negotiate the $89 rate for the entire year with an agreement to pay the $8,900 up front then pay any additional days as they accrue. May said he would be in touch with MRDC about that.
The commissioners will forward the draft contract to commissioners’ attorney Bill Hinkle for review and wait to hear back from May before making a final decision.
In other business Monday, the commissioners:
•Made highway department superintendent Ken Wellman purchasing agent to buy a new truck-mounted sprayer that will help with de-icing intersections in the county.
•Spoke briefly with Jay County Clerk Ellen Coats about vote centers. Coats, who said previously that she hoped to have vote centers implemented by the May primary, told the commissioners today that the change likely won’t happen this year, although she would like to continue to explore it.[[In-content Ad]]