By HOLLY GASKILL
Progress on final items of the jail renovation project has remained stagnant for yet another week.
During Sheriff Scott Holliday’s regular update to the commissioners on Tuesday, he said representatives from Ameresco, the group in charge of the project, now plan to be present at the commissioners’ Feb. 6 meeting. The group has reportedly planned to come to several earlier meetings, but has not attended.
“Are they done?” Commissioner Jeff Stringer asked. “Tell them not to come until they’re done.”
Holliday replied, “Well, I think they need to explain to you guys when it’s going to be done and (hear) that they’re not going to get (the) last payment until they do.”
Since then, Holliday has discovered a slight leak in one of the cell blocks from the roof, which had been part of the renovation project.
Separately, Holliday advised he is seeking quotes to solve a sewer issue in the administrative part of the jail building.
As of Tuesday, Holliday reported 74 inmates were in the jail, 32 of which were pre-trial holds for the Wells County Circuit Court, 18 pre-trial holds for the Superior Court, 17 from the Department of Correction and three Level 6 felons.
The commissioners also approved a wording change in the jail’s sick bank policy to lessen restrictions for contributions. Employees can donate their unused sick days to the ‘sick bank,’ which can then help others who need extended time off for illness.
Stringer and Commissioner Blake Gerber were present Tuesday; Mike Vanover was absent.
Jennifer Brink of Bluffton again approached the commissioners to discuss Health First Indiana during public comments. According to the Health First Indiana website, the county will receive a minimum of $549,510 for healthcare opportunities if it joins the program in its second year.
Brink explored the program as an attraction to business development, citing a conversation she had had with a former senior employee at a major corporation. “I don’t know what Economic Development’s working on right now. I don’t know what the Chamber’s working on right now,” she said. “But I know when I talked to (the senior employee), he shopped multiple towns and multiple counties (for his businesses). So what kind of businesses are going to come here when we don’t have Health First Indiana?”
Brink then asked for a meeting between the County Council, commissioners, Health Department and Economic Development to discuss the matter. “I want all the players … so if you’re opting out again (on) June 1, I want everybody to make this decision. I just don’t want you guys to make your decisions.”
Both Stringer and Gerber replied, “It is our decision.”
holly@news-banner.com
