Study group will be formed

It’s time to start thinking about the future.

Jay County Commissioners discussed plans Monday for a study committee to look into Jay County Country Living’s finances. (Commissioners agreed to look into the matter but decided to hold off on a vote until their next meeting.)

The study committee — commissioner president Chad Aker suggested a group of five to seven — would determine options for a path forward as well as a potential plan for closing the facility.

Jay County Council president Jeanne Houchins briefed commissioners Monday on council’s recent discussion about Jay County Country Living.

Council member Cindy Bracy recommended at last week’s meeting that county officials put together a board to delve into the matter of either finding solutions to keep the facility open or putting together a plan to close it. Council decided on a 4-3 vote not to cut Jay County Country Living’s budget in half for 2024, with Houchins breaking.

Her vote came with the stipulation the county look into the facility’s future long-term, such as forming a board per Bracy’s recommendation.

Aker explained that he spoke with Bracy recently and agreed with her idea. 

“I think it’s going to be the best thing to do moving forward here, again, either carrying on with it or closing it down,” said Aker. “So, that’s something we need to take a deep look into.”

He suggested having commissioner and council appointments to the board, along with a few members of the public.

Commissioners Rex Journay and Brian McGalliard both voiced their agreement.  McGalliard noted he has been the commissioner appointee for overseeing the facility, with Aker pointing out McGalliard has invested a significant amount of time into Jay County Country Living’s operations.

“It would help take a lot of work load off my shoulders,” said McGalliard. “It would free up some time for me, get some more open input.”

Jay County Country Living’s proposed budget for 2024 sits at approximately $450,900 in expenses. That doesn't factor in the facility’s income, McGalliard pointed out on Monday. If the facility had a full 31 residents for one year, said Aker, the facility would bring in $468,720, and it would also profit an additional $90,000 for leasing the surrounding farm ground.

Jay County Country Living had 22 residents as of last week. Houchins and McGalliard both pointed out the facility is open to anyone.

Local resident Virginia Burkey noted the county could look into grants or other fundraising to keep the facility open. Aker asked newly hired community coordinator Nate Kimball to search for grants that may fit within the category. 

Aker also noted if the facility were to shut down, the county would need a plan for staffing and finding current residents new housing.

County attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested creating a deadline for the study committee, such as requiring a report by the first quarter in 2024. (If county officials ultimately decide to shut down the facility, council could approve an appropriation reduction sometime in 2024, which would terminate the remainder of the facility’s budget.) 

Commissioners verbally agreed to move forward with creating a study committee but chose to hold off on a formal motion until their next meeting, with Aker planning to further flesh out details about the study committee with Houchins in the interim.