Published: June 29, 2008 10:55 pm            

Full capacity could lead to self-sufficiency

When the Howard County Council begins deliberations on the 2009 budget, it is likely to hear that Howard Haven will not require any property tax dollars to operate.

For the first time in the history of the facility opened in 1957, Howard Haven is full with 21 residents and staff members are in the process of adding two additional rooms.

In combination with the full capacity, an increase in the per diem ARCH payment received from the state for some residents has interim director Jennifer Vary expecting the facility to be self-sufficient.

“We’re full,” Vary said. “We couldn’t take any more residents. That’s why we’re converting an upstairs apartment which was for the assistant director to two more private rooms.”

The budget for the operation of Howard Haven is approximately $200,000 and according to Laurie Martin, chief deputy in the Howard County Auditor’s office, the facility may be self-sufficient this year.

“They have brought in $100,000 so far this year,” Martin said. “They are very close to being self-sufficient.”

Vary said this is the first time that Howard Haven is at capacity and there is presently not a waiting list of potential new residents.

The per diem from the state for the 17 ARCH residents is increasing from $27 to $37 per day which means an additional $60,000 in 2009 for Howard Haven if the facility remains at capacity, according to Vary. Residents who are self-paying pay a per diem of $38 per day and that is expected to be increased.

“We won’t have to ask the county for any money,” Vary said. “We will be over budget and can give some back to the county.”

Vary said she will ask council members to include some additional money in the 2009 budget for part-time help for housekeeping purposes.

Dick Miller, president of the Howard County Council, said he was pleased with the news, but not surprised.

“In the past the facility dropped to such a low number of residents,” he said. “We had capacity and knew we could do wonderful things in the community. It was never meant to be a moneymaker, but the council believed it should be a break even operation.”

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454 -8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

        

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