Pickens County approves two‑bed conditional use for charity hospice Amazing Grace Care of Jasper

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a conditional use permit for Amazing Grace Care of Jasper to operate a two‑bed, charity‑run hospice from a residence in Jasper. The board approved staff recommendations requiring that the operation comply with safety codes, limit signage to a single residential‑style sign and that the county fire marshal verify access and parking before operations proceed.

Amy Harrison, the applicant who identified herself as CEO of Amazing Grace Care of Jasper, told the board the home would operate as a public charity and not charge residents a fee. "We would not charge the residents a fee at all," she said, adding that the home would rely on donations and partnerships with hospice agencies. She described the model as a small, home‑like alternative for people who lack family caregivers or permanent housing.

Harrison and supporters emphasized limits in Medicare hospice eligibility. "So Medicare pays 100% the hospice benefit," she said, then described the clinical standard the board heard is used by some inpatient hospice units: "They have to be actively dying, or they're discharged." She argued that a local home setting can provide round‑the‑clock care when hospice‑paid services leave gaps.

Multiple residents and community leaders spoke in favor during public comment. Don Storms, who described years of family caregiving experience, called the two beds "a mustard seed" and said the facility would be an asset to Jasper. Deacon Jen Gibson, senior deacon at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, said the project has church and Knights of Columbus support and framed it as a charitable effort to provide dignity in a person's final days. Maria Lane, who said she has worked in senior‑care placement, recommended the two‑bed pilot as a test of community support.

Board members asked practical questions about budget and insurance. Harrison said she was "in talks with the insurance" and that a partner operator in Texas and Oklahoma pays nurses about $20 an hour plus benefits. She said staffing would include a nurse and trained caregiver on site 24/7 and that the operation is at an early, incremental stage.

A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use based on staff conditions; the motion was seconded and approved by a show of hands. The board did not record roll call tallies by name in the transcript. The approval carries conditions the applicant must meet before fully operating, including fire marshal confirmation of parking and access and compliance with local safety codes.

Next steps noted in the hearing record include the applicant finalizing insurance and budget figures and coordination with county staff on any permit or inspection requirements prior to opening.