Journey Home targets Jay Co. facility

The Journey Home of Winchester is interested in starting operations in Jay County.

A few representatives from the organization approached Jay County Commissioners to discuss potential plans Monday.

Earlier this year, The Journey Home expressed interest in using Jay County Country Living as a space for veterans. Their interest followed news of plans to close the county-run living facility within the next few years.

The Journey Home CEO Dan Baker, who also serves in the National Guard, talked about the nonprofit organization’s mission.

“Our directive is to end veteran homelessness,” he said.

The organization doesn’t serve as a permanent housing solution, explained Baker, who noted The Journey Home has helped hundreds of veterans over its last 10 years in operation. Residents typically move through three-to-six-month programs at the facility.

Justin Lester, director of advancement and operations at The Journey Home, explained the organization helps 60 veterans in Randolph County monthly with coordinated meals through Second Harvest Food Bank. If The Journey Home were to move services into Jay County, he added, it could expand another Second Harvest Food Bank route to provide for Jay County veterans.

•Heard an update regarding the proposed recovery home for men, The Vision on Votaw, in Portland. Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition director Kimbra Reynolds explained the project will be completed in phases, with the organization currently accepting bids for the first phase. Plans are to modify the house to accommodate six residents. The second phase will involve expanding the house to allow for up to 16 residents.

•Learned the United States Drug Enforcement Administration performed a surprise inspection in October at Jay Emergency Medical Service. JEMS director Kyle Gerlach explained the federal department advised officials to update some policies moving forward. He pointed to former director John McFarland’s arrest in April. McFarland was charged in Jay Circuit Court with various drug-related crimes, including two Level 5 felonies for possession of a narcotic drug and two Level 6 felonies for possession of a controlled substance.

•OK’d moving forward with Jay County Development Corporation’s service contract with the county for next year, setting the county’s contribution at $254,250.

•Agreed to shift commissioners’ March 23 meeting to March 30 instead

•Approved a $4,190 quote from Second Shift Solutions of Celina, Ohio, to improve building access restrictions and video surveillance at Jay Emergency Medical Service base in Portland. The price includes installing cloud-based storage cameras around the building as well as access card readers and providing access cards to EMS employees. EMS director Kyle Gerlach explained the project will meet the department’s security needs and satisfy requirements set by the county’s insurance. Answering a question from commissioners, he confirmed the equipment will be transferable to the new public safety facility if constructed.

•Agreed to an updated financial commitment letter to the Federal Highway Administration for reconstructing a bridge along county road 400 North near county road 700 East. Jay County Highway Department administrative assistant Stephanie Klarer explained the total increased by approximately $40,000.

•Received copies of Jay County Jail’s annual inspection report. This year’s inspection — it’s comprised of about 250 questions — shows no critical incidents. The jail’s average inmate population sits at 58, with approximately 45 of those incarcerated identified as males.

•Heard a quarterly update from Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn. As of the end of October, 280 building permits have been issued, with 171 of those in rural areas of Jay County. There have also been 25 new home permits — 21 are in rural parts of the county — and 37 commercial use permits with eight of those permits located in rural areas.

•Heard a monthly financial breakdown from Jay Emergency Medical Service director Gary Barnett. It had $172,058.62 in expenses in October and $87,948.24 in income.

•Approved the following: Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton to spend $5,495 out of his budget to install internet equipment in Jay County Sheriff’s Office vehicles; a $198,829 quarterly claim from LifeStream Services; opening a credit card for new Jay County Courthouse superintendent Monte Shrack.

•Were reminded by Aker about the Community Thanksgiving dinner starting at 1 p.m. Thursday at Asbury United Methodist Church.