No new residents for county facility

With plans to close by the end of 2026, Jay County Country Living won’t be accepting new residents.

Jay County Commissioners decided not to allow new residents during a meeting Monday. They also discussed establishing pay incentives for employees to continue working for the county until the facility closes and heard about a potential path forward with The Journey Home of Winchester.

Commissioners decided in August on a 2-1 vote to cease the county’s operations of the living facility in rural Portland by Dec. 31, 2026. Jay County Council signaled at its meeting earlier this month that it may fund the organization’s budget through June 30, with additional appropriations to be made if needed.

Referring to a recent move-in request, commissioner Duane Monroe said Monday that the county needs to stop accepting new residents amid the transition to move others out.

“I feel like we need to say we’re not going to continue taking more in,” Monroe said.

Jay County Country Living director Stacey Johnson said the request was an “emergency situation,” pointing out the resident would have paid rent with cash.

Monroe said it would set a precedent. Jay County Country Living advisory board president and county council member Cindy Bracy added that it would send mixed signals to the current residents. Johnson pointed out the situation was temporary, saying the potential resident was not moving in to stay and had developed disabilities.

“Nobody listened, this is exactly what this home is for,” she said. “For three months, if this person is able to take care of and pay their rent, and other people don’t even pay rent out there, I don’t — I’m sorry, and I have to do whatever you guys tell me, but that, it just seems anti-community to me …”

Commissioner president Chad Aker said he could see the value in allowing new residents temporary lodging, as long as they are paying rent themselves and understand they must move out by a certain date. 

“Again, we still do have to pay the bills around there, and maybe we should take these  on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

Bracy noted Jay County Country Living Advisory Board members unofficially recommended the county not allow new residents.

“We’re talking about people,” said commissioner Doug Horn. “My hope is we can find them a better place that takes care of their needs better. But if we’ve said we’re closing, which we did, we voted to do it, then I think it’s time to act like that’s what we’re doing.”

Commissioners Horn and Monroe voted not to allow new residents to move in, with Aker dissenting. 

Discussing efforts to move current residents to new sites, Johnson pointed out the county won’t leave anyone homeless. Monroe agreed, saying that is why commissioners set a hard closing deadline for the facility. He added that the county should also financially incentivize employees to stay until the facility closes and move quickly on the process.

Monroe proposed the equivalent of three months’ worth of additional pay for Jay County Country Living employees if the facility closes by the end of this year, two months’ worth of additional pay if the facility closes by June 30 and one month’s worth of additional pay if the facility closes by Dec. 31, 2026. 

Currently, the department employs eight part-time and three full-time workers.Discussion ensued regarding whether the financial incentive would be enough to entice employees to stay. Johnson indicated employees may not stay for a small stipend and suggested a larger amount. County attorney Wes Schemenaur pointed out it would also require council’s approval.

No decision was made on the matter Monday, although plans are to look into Monroe’s proposal and hash over details in the near future.

Also, Bracy said The Journey Home — an organization aimed at ending veteran homelessness — recently visited Jay County Country Living and expressed interest in the building. If pursued, plans would involve the organization leaving the space it rents from Randolph County in Winchester and moving its operations to the Portland site. Randolph County Commissioners have been pushing the organization to find a new location, saying they feel the current space at Randolph County Center for Family Opportunity is not a good fit.