Polk approves contract with new provider

After six months of Polk County supplementing costs to operate the adult day health center, a new provider has agreed to run the facility.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, May 5 and approved a contract with Seasons of Life Home Care Inc., a private, nonprofit corporation based in Columbus.
Commissioner chair Ted Owens said the county’s original provider came to the board last December saying they were closing the facility. The county asked Rutherford Life Services if they would stay until the end of May if the county paid the costs to run the facility at $3,500 per month, or $21,000. The county took the money out of its fund balance to run the facility.
Seasons of Life Homecare Director/President June Beddingfield said she and interim county manager Marche Pittman met last week and are both in agreement with the contract. She said her main goal to run the adult day service successfully will be marketing.
Beddingfield currently runs a home care service. She said she plans to open the new adult day service on June 2.
Commissioner Ray Gasperson asked if the county is going to continue to supplement funding.
“No, sir,” Beddingfield said, “I will not be coming to the county asking for money unless I have to.”
She said if she can average six clients per day she should be able to operate the center without the county supplementing.
The contract includes a $1 per year lease for five years. The county has agreed to pay utilities and maintenance, with the Meeting Place providing meals. The contract states the county will pay for the electricity for the first two years, with Seasons of Life Home Care paying the electricity the last three years. The contract also asked the provider to purchase locally and hire employees that reside in Polk County when possible.
Commissioners were told in November 2013 that the center would be closing Nov. 30 by Rutherford Life Services Executive Director Larry Brown. Brown said reductions in funding and low enrollment numbers forced the shutdown. He told commissioners that Polk’s center is licensed for 24 participants, but attendance has dropped to between eight and 12 people daily with 18 enrolled.
Commissioners said the center is near and dear to them and they want it to remain open in some form or fashion because they believe there is a great need in Polk County.
Polk’s Life Care Adult Day Health Center opened in December 2011 after a unique public/private partnership. Polk County provides the building and through fundraising and grants completed renovations for the facility.
Gasperson told Beddingfield no one is more supportive of Polk having an adult day health service than him.
Commissioner vice chair Michael Gage told Beddingfield he is thankful she is stepping up to run the service. Owens also said he is appreciative of Beddingfield.
Gasperson mentioned the unique public/private partnership Polk County has in that it provides the building and utilities for a private company to run the service.
Beddingfield agreed saying most adult day centers are based in churches because providers do not make money. She said the goal is to break even.
Beddingfield said she plans to create a Friends of Adult Day to assist the new center.
Polk County’s adult day service is located off Skyuka Road in Columbus on Carmel Lane.