Addressing issues

The Journey Home has three main concerns regarding the Jay County Country Living facility — the foundation, electrical system and sprinkler system.

Jay County Commissioners on Monday approved allowing the organization to hire engineers to look into each matter.

The Journey Home of Winchester has expressed interest in the Jay County Country Living building, which had its final resident move out earlier this month. 

Justin Lester, director of advancement and operations at The Journey Home, noted the Department of Veterans Affairs released a report this month about the facility. Although the department had recommended The Journey Home not move into the building, Lester said at a Jay County Council meeting Dec. 10 there are a few critical changes to be made that could make the property viable for its operations.

Lester said Monday the organization has narrowed its concerns down to three issues — the limestone foundation, outdated electrical systems and the sprinkler system.

He said the newer half of the building appears to have a working sprinkler system, while the other half does not. He said the Department of Veterans Affairs would like a fire marshal to sign off on the system. There have also been concerns that some of the fire alarms did not respond during a recent test. 

Commissioners president Chad Aker noted the alarm system, sprinkler system and extinguishers should be tested annually. Maintenance worker John May later said as of last week the fire alarm system passed inspection, although he said the sprinkler system hasn’t been tested recently. He noted the kitchen fire suppression system also needs to be drained and discharged. 

Lester asked for permission from commissioners to hire a structural engineer and electrical engineer to inspect the facility. Answering a question from Aker, Lester confirmed The Journey Home would pay the cost.

Commissioners then OK’d Lester to hire engineers.

Also Monday, commissioners heard from Jay County Country Living director Stacey Johnson and maintenance worker John May.

Johnson said all residents have moved out of the facility. Leftover food has been donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. She confirmed she has turned in her keys to the facility and has virtually finished her role as director.

Johnson also explained May will be working through the week to keep up with maintenance on the building.

Aker suggested installing security cameras at the facility to prevent break-ins, vandalism or other potential issues. May said wifi repeaters may be needed for cameras with online cloud storage, with Aker suggesting hardwiring a camera system.

Also, Aker shared an update on plans for a public safety building in Jay County. The facility would include Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Health Department and Jay County Coroner’s Office, he said.

The county has been looking at the building where Jay Emergency Medical Service currently operates, with county officials discussing whether to expand the facility or build a new structure. IU Health has agreed to donate the building and 2 acres of land for the proposed facility.

Aker said some county officials and department heads recently met to review floor plans, saying there were indications it may not be a good idea to renovate the existing building.

Looking instead at building a new structure in the area would require IU Health Jay to provide additional land further to the north. County officials indicated they don’t foresee an issue garnering support, but formal approval would still be required.

In other business, commissioners Aker, Duane Monroe and Doug Horn:

•Scheduled an executive session for 3:45 p.m. Jan. 12 regarding pending litigation with right-of-way access for an upcoming bridge project and a special session to follow at 4 p.m.

•Approved the following: a $254,250 contract with Jay County Development Corporation for services next year; spending $160,975.85 on buying and equipping three new vehicles for Jay County Sheriff’s Office; paying $20,000 annually over the next five years out of Jay County Sheriff’s Office budget for new tasers — they include 45-foot probes — from Axon; spending $36,059.76 on Microsoft 365 licensing and other software upgrades, including email backups and cloud managed protection and response, through LEAP Managed IT; paying $21,350 to Top Shelf Concrete to install concrete in the enclosed salt bay for Jay County Highway Department; several claims for Jay Emergency Medical Service, including $11,544.89 for a regular maintenance agreement with medical equipment company Stryker, $1,300 for a medical director stipend for Jan Kornilow and $1,160 for EMS student testing through Platinum Educational Group; spending $19,579 to WA Jones of Columbia City for two snowplows; a $7,500 grant application for Jay County Emergency Management Agency in hopes of receiving funds for purchasing the department a new drone and spending $2,328.99 on an air compressor for the highway department.

•Tabled a $3,000 claim from East Central Indiana Regional Planning District for Community Crossings grant work with Salamonia and Pennville. Monroe expressed confusion about the claim, saying he had heard the organization hadn’t been working in either community. Commissioners decided to invite director Bill Walters to the next meeting to discuss the claim and his organization’s services included with the county’s annual membership.

•Approved drainage plans from Lakeside Health and Wellness, which is planning development at the corner of Votaw and Charles streets in Portland.

•OK’d allowing Jay Emergency Medical Service director Jessica Curtis to sign claims for her department.

•Heard a monthly financial breakdown from JEMS director Gary Barnett. In November, the department had $133,564.18 in expenses and $70,668.63 in income. The department also made 121 ambulance runs, with 64 of those runs going to IU Health Jay.

•OK’d giving May access to a county credit card to purchase parts as needed for maintenance repairs.

•Accepted bids from US Aggregates and IMI Aggregates for next year.