Council OKs JCH offer

Jay County is one step closer to hiring Jay County Hospital to manage Jay Emergency Medical Service.
Jay County Council approved Wednesday night for Jay County Commissioners to sign an agreement with the hospital to manage the service that has seen financial woes in recent years.
“At least we’re trying something to see if we can remedy our problem,” said council member Gary Theurer.
Jay County Hospital proposed the agreement Monday to commissioners, who took it under advisement to allow council to weigh in on the option.
 Under the proposed agreement, hospital CEO Dave Hyatt said Monday that JCH would employ the manager of JEMS, with all other employees remaining county employees.
The manager would report to the head of the county’s emergency department as well as the county. The agreement would also allow the hospital to share in any profits JEMS might reap during the tenure of the contract.
However, Hyatt said the goal is not to make a profit but to ensure JEMS remains a quality service for Jay County.
JEMS was $146,817 in the red in 2015, and has been helped via the rainy day fund ($300,000 in 2010, $400,000 in 2014 and $44,098 annually for a paramedic salary and benefits since February 2014).

Commissioners are expected to take action on the agreement Monday. If they enter into it, Jay County Hospital intends to post a job opening immediately and begin the recruitment process with the hopes of having someone in place at beginning of 2017.
The service’s current director, Pat Frazee, is retiring at the end of the year.