Hospital willing to make donation of land

For months, county officials have mulled over a location for a public safety building.

IU Health Jay could help provide an answer.

Jay County Council heard Wednesday that IU Health Jay officials have indicated a willingness to donate property near Jay Emergency Medical Service’s base in Portland.

Discussions stemmed from a transfer request of $33,570 between infrastructure funds in the commissioners’ budget. The request — it was intended to pay a claim from MSS Engineering for a portion of the cost to draw plans for constructing a public safety building — died for lack of a motion at two council meetings in September.

County officials have discussed building a multiuse facility for years to serve as a hub for Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Health Department and Jay County Coroner’s Office. 

Commissioners in August agreed on a 2-1 vote to move forward with a $119,000 contract with MSS Engineering for the project, with Commissioner Duane Monroe dissenting. At that time, discussion centered on whether to build the facility on the county’s 68 acres along Votaw Street on the west side of Portland. Monroe suggested expanding the current Portland base instead, with others pointing out the property was owned by IU Health Jay.

Monroe attended council’s meeting Wednesday to share news about the hospital’s intentions, saying IU Health Jay officials are open to donating the Jay Emergency Medical Service building and two additional acres to the county for the project.

He explained that since IU Health Jay has jumped on board with the idea, his perspective on the project has changed. Having a location, he added, has made all the difference.

This wouldn’t be the first time IU Health Jay has donated property in recent years. In May 2024, the nonprofit organization donated a house at the intersection of Creagor Avenue and Votaw Street to the Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition to be used as a recovery home. (Coalition members are in the midst of renovations needed to open the home, now called “The Vision on Votaw.”)

Monroe noted the land still needs to be studied for viability for a potential expansion. 

He voiced potential concerns about a utility line running through the property, as well as setback requirements for the hospital’s helipad.

Whether it makes more sense to construct a new structure or expand the current building is another question. Monroe suggested working with MSS Engineering to determine the best options.

Council members pointed to the existing contract with MSS Engineering, sharing worries about whether the company will be open to amending its contract and the county’s obligation to the full $119,000. 

They also questioned whether the scope of the work would have changed enough that it would require a new request for proposals process. (MSS Engineering was selected from a round of bidders, a formal process required for large projects on the county level.) The previous request for proposals process asked for companies to design the building with no specific location in mind.

Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales suggested asking MSS Engineering for schematic designs at a lesser price. County attorney Wes Schemenaur pointed out that because a contract has been signed, it would be up to the company whether it would negotiate on the matter.

Council member Michael Brewster pointed out the county will need to find the funds to pay for the project, noting the ongoing 68-acre infrastructure development as well as the new radios purchased for emergency personnel.

Council member Cindy Bracy voiced thanks to IU Health Jay for its willingness to donate resources to the county.

“This is the perfect solution,” she said.

Council members also chided commissioners for communication issues in the past with council. Monroe shared hopes to address those concerns, saying he would like to have a council member join a committee to oversee the project.

Schemenaur pointed out the county will need to figure out a solution for Jay Emergency Medical Service, noting that its lease with IU Health Jay has expired. Council member Harold Towell shared concerns about the hospital changing its mind at the last minute.

Monroe pointed out construction plans don’t need to begin immediately.

“Even if we go ahead and get it drawn, and say yes, that doesn’t mean we have to build it next week or next year,” he said. “And I think that’s smart — it’s smart to look at it in advance and do the leg work before you just jump in and say, ‘Hey, let’s start building.’”

Council members Bracy, Towell, Minnich, Brewster, Parr and Randy May, with Bryan Alexander absent, then agreed to the $33,570 transfer for the project.

Also Wednesday, council approved its 2026 budget. Towell dissented.

Jay County’s budget for next year sits at $25.9 million, approximately $1.8 million (7.6%) more than the current year. It includes about $11.75 million in the general fund, a roughly $500,000 increase from this year’s general fund.

Other major fund totals are $1.28 million for the Jay County Highway Department — it has an additional $2.592 million in the cumulative bridge fund and $1.925 million from the state in the Local Motor Vehicle Highway restricted fund — nearly $3.95 million for Jay County Commissioners, $2.082 million for Jay County Jail, nearly $1.358 million for Jay County Sheriff’s Office and nearly $1.308 million for Jay Emergency Medical Service.

The 2026 budget includes 2% raises for county employees. Another notable change includes slashing Jay County Country Living’s budget in half. (Hopes are for the facility to close by the end of June 2026.)

In other business, council:

•Heard from Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales, who noted the organization has created a committee to oversee hiring the new community development director.

•Hosted a public hearing for Jay County Solid Waste Management’s 2026 budget, which sits at $295,373. Council will hold a special meeting Oct. 22 to approve the budget.

•Made the following additional appropriations: $50,000 in Jay County Jail’s budget for medical and hospital supplies; $19,976 for Jay County Health Department stemming from its annual bioterrorism grant; and $5,500 in the economic development income tax (EDIT) fund for two surveys completed on a property along Tyson Road.