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Henry County commissioners decline to fund $19,600 Baker Tilly YOC feasibility study after second fails
Summary
Commissioners discussed a Baker Tilly proposal to analyze reopening the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) and compare operating costs with regional facilities. The board debated financial risk, regional participation and staffing concerns; a motion to approve the $19,600, six-week study failed for lack of a second.
Commissioner Steve (speaking as a commissioner) introduced a Baker Tilly proposal for a six-week feasibility analysis of reopening the county—s Youth Opportunity Center (YOC), saying the firm could document comparable facilities, review three fiscal years of budget data and produce scaled revenue and expense recommendations.
Molly Hunt of Purdue Extension and other meeting participants referenced a range of county experiences and prior contractor estimates; Steve summarized Baker Tilly—s scope as a six-week phase to "document at least 3 similar facilities in nearby Indiana counties and collect relevant budget data for the last 3 fiscal years" and to produce a scaled budget and recommendation.
Supporters of commissioning the study argued the county lacks consolidated financial comparisons and that a third-party analysis would help the board evaluate whether operating the YOC locally or contracting with a provider such as Abraxas would be financially viable. One commissioner said Abraxas—s per-diem estimates had been higher than rates others reported from surrounding counties and that the study would help reconcile those figures.
Opponents raised cost and timing concerns. One commissioner said the county could attempt its own analysis and questioned spending roughly $20,000 for consulting; another said approval should wait until the county council confirmed funding. Commissioners and commenters also discussed staffing challenges for residential facilities, licensure and the additional administrative burden of running a locked facility.
A motion by Commissioner (name given as Steve in the meeting) to approve the Baker Tilly proposal for $19,600, contingent on council funding, failed for lack of a second. The county did not adopt the study at this meeting.
The discussion included references to conversations with other counties (Johnson, Knox) about costs and operations and to Abraxas—s service package and pricing. Commissioners directed staff to continue information-gathering and to coordinate with the council; staff indicated they would bring the item back if the council offered a funding option.
