March 17, 2015 at 5:50 p.m.
Options for EMS billing discussed
Jay County Commissioners explored the idea of offering larger discounts to those who can pay off EMS bills quickly.
Commissioners discussed Monday the possibility of extending the discount period and offering greater reductions. County residents can currently earn a 10-percent reduction if they pay EMS bills within 10 days of receiving them.
About 25 percent of Jay County residents who use EMS services currently take advantage of the discount, and that’s mostly people who incur smaller bills, said commissioner Faron Parr.
“It’s hard for them to take advantage of it when (the bills) are $500 and up,” he added.
Commissioners Jim Zimmerman, Doug Inman and Parr discussed offering a 20-percent discount, extending the deadline to 15 days or implementing a tiered plan based upon the amount of the bill, but tabled the matter in order to explore their options.
They also met with county engineer Dan Watson to discuss how the construction of the Green Valley Ranch confined animal feeding operation, which will be located at 2104 E. 300 South, would affect the surrounding county roads.
When construction begins on the CAFO, which does not yet have a permit to build, semi traffic in the area around it will increase. The increased traffic will damage county roads, which aren’t meant to handle such a workload, said Watson.
“I know those roads won’t hold up out there … we should be able to hold them liable if there is damage,” Watson added.
Commissioners, Watson, Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn and county highway superintendent Ken Wellman discussed having the company pay for future repairs for damage caused by the increased traffic. They also explored the idea of implementing truck routes, having the company pay for gravel to reinforce the roads and rerouting the operation’s entrance to limit the use of county roads. The route can be specified in the building permit as well.
Commissioners suggested Watson, Hemmelgarn and Wellman meet with the future farm’s owners to clarify route details as well as responsibility for future road repair costs.
In other business, the commissioners:
•Approved the reappointment of Anna Culy to Jay County Economic Development Commission. Also reappointed all members of Jay County Redevelopment Commission, including Faron Parr as president, Carl Walker as vice president, Daniel Watson as secretary, Todd Wickey, Bill Bradley and Greg Wellman as a non-voting school board representative.
•Heard from Jay County Sheriff Dwane Ford, who said the department will be picking up a dog today as it prepares to start a new K-9 unit. The dog’s 14-week training begins the second week of April, and will take place in Fort Wayne.
Commissioners discussed Monday the possibility of extending the discount period and offering greater reductions. County residents can currently earn a 10-percent reduction if they pay EMS bills within 10 days of receiving them.
About 25 percent of Jay County residents who use EMS services currently take advantage of the discount, and that’s mostly people who incur smaller bills, said commissioner Faron Parr.
“It’s hard for them to take advantage of it when (the bills) are $500 and up,” he added.
Commissioners Jim Zimmerman, Doug Inman and Parr discussed offering a 20-percent discount, extending the deadline to 15 days or implementing a tiered plan based upon the amount of the bill, but tabled the matter in order to explore their options.
They also met with county engineer Dan Watson to discuss how the construction of the Green Valley Ranch confined animal feeding operation, which will be located at 2104 E. 300 South, would affect the surrounding county roads.
When construction begins on the CAFO, which does not yet have a permit to build, semi traffic in the area around it will increase. The increased traffic will damage county roads, which aren’t meant to handle such a workload, said Watson.
“I know those roads won’t hold up out there … we should be able to hold them liable if there is damage,” Watson added.
Commissioners, Watson, Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn and county highway superintendent Ken Wellman discussed having the company pay for future repairs for damage caused by the increased traffic. They also explored the idea of implementing truck routes, having the company pay for gravel to reinforce the roads and rerouting the operation’s entrance to limit the use of county roads. The route can be specified in the building permit as well.
Commissioners suggested Watson, Hemmelgarn and Wellman meet with the future farm’s owners to clarify route details as well as responsibility for future road repair costs.
In other business, the commissioners:
•Approved the reappointment of Anna Culy to Jay County Economic Development Commission. Also reappointed all members of Jay County Redevelopment Commission, including Faron Parr as president, Carl Walker as vice president, Daniel Watson as secretary, Todd Wickey, Bill Bradley and Greg Wellman as a non-voting school board representative.
•Heard from Jay County Sheriff Dwane Ford, who said the department will be picking up a dog today as it prepares to start a new K-9 unit. The dog’s 14-week training begins the second week of April, and will take place in Fort Wayne.
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