By Debbie Lowe, Carroll County Comet staff writer
Carroll County Commissioners did not agree with the need expressed by the county council to increase residents' rates to a level that would make Carroll Manor self-sustaining. Instead, they did some math of their own, listened to residents' family members speak about the goodness of the facility and then rejected the council recommendation at the Monday morning meeting.
Carroll Manor Superintendent Martha Lewis said the council directed rates to increase to $56/day for residents at the facility. However, Lewis added she thought the increase should be "temporary" and cautioned commissioners to not "lose sight about what Carroll Manor is all about."
"If we don't operate in the black, or (make expenses) even (with income), it won't be there," she said.
Lewis presented a rate structure which included a spenddown program for residents who could not readily pay the proposed $56 each day.
Although Delphi business owner Ron Christie reported an assisted living facility in Lafayette was charging $97/day and he believed people from outside of Carroll County would want to live at the Manor if they were aware of it, commissioners hesitated to follow the council recommendation.
"We don't want to price ourselves out of the market," commissioner president Loren Hylton said.
Council member Ann Brown advised the county did not have enough money in the budget to maintain the current level of services.
When questioned by commissioner George Mears, she explained the council divided the cost of doing business at the Manor by the number of residents to determine what cost-perday would be sufficient for cash flow.
Commissioner Bill Brown asked council member Brown what the council intended to do with residents who were unable to pay the increased amount. She replied the facility would not close.
"But right now, we can't afford it," she told Brown. "Everyday you argue you're wasting time."
"We aren't doing ourselves any favors by arguing about this," she added.
Lewis said in retrospect she realized rates should have been increased over the years as income-producing activities, such as food gardening, were discontinued.
"This is another situation we have to do something about we didn't start," Bill Brown said.
Commissioners approved a rate increase of $36/day for county residents and $56/day for non-residents effective in 45 days. When questioned about admitting criteria, Lewis said anyone with a familial tie to Carroll County, such as a son or daughter who resides in the county, is considered a resident. She said there are no residents who do not fit that description currently residing at the Manor.
Lewis also announced that the general contractor for the elevator project has still not completed the elevator work. She requested commissioners step in to encourage the contractor to fulfill his obligation to the county and satisfy the state grant of approximately $500,000.
Commissioner attorney Barry Emerson was directed to write a letter to the contractor stipulating a completion date.
EDC
Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution to use additional economic development income tax funds, if council raised the tax rate, for economic development projects.
"If there is an increase, the money will be used exclusively and entirely for economic development projects," was Brown's proposal.
The discussion leading to resolution adopted was heated and involved various economic development corporation issues.
"We know that economic development is the way to move the county forward," EDC director Chamber of Commerce and the historical society. He said there was no documentation that Moore was given approval to be paid for hours worked at the festival. He further maintained that she was directed in August and September to take as much accumulated time off as possible, which she neglected to do.