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Jay County commissioners vote to pause new admissions at county retirement center amid closure planning
Summary
After debate over staff retention incentives and relocation plans, the Jay County Commissioners voted to stop accepting new residents at the county retirement center; the motion passed by majority with President Chad Aker dissenting.
The Jay County Commissioners on Sept. 22 voted to stop accepting new residents to the county retirement center as the facility prepares for closure. The motion was made by Commissioner Doug Horn, seconded by Duane Monroe, and passed by majority; President Chad Aker voted against the moratorium.
Retirement Center director Stacey Johnson briefed the board on residents being moved to Howard Haven in neighboring Howard County and on two residents working with case managers to move into apartments. Johnson said the facility will need help with moves and case management for residents transitioning to other facilities.
Commissioner Duane Monroe proposed a tiered incentive-pay package intended to encourage employees to remain while the facility winds down: full-time employees would receive three months' salary if the facility closed by the end of 2025, two months if closed by June 30, 2026, and one month if closed between July and December 2026; part-time employees would receive half those amounts. Johnson questioned whether short-term cash incentives would retain staff, and Auditor Emily Franks explained a recent Adams County approach that paid a $3,000 flat fee for full-time employees and $1,500 for part-time staff with additional credit for years of service.
Commissioners asked the director to prepare a recommendation for the facility’s advisory board to consider and return to the commissioners. At the meeting, Cindy Bracy noted the advisory board lacked a quorum at its recent meeting and expressed concern that a blanket moratorium on admissions could confuse residents and staff; Johnson requested exceptions for emergency or temporary admissions and for residents who can pay. Commissioners said admissions would be considered case-by-case as the closure process proceeds.
The moratorium motion is recorded as passing by majority; the minutes indicate follow-up work for staff and the advisory board rather than an immediate change to resident care.
