Portage Manor Money Pit

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Records reveal hundreds of thousands of county tax dollars being used to secure the now vacant Portage Manor.

The St. Joe County owned property, which housed more than 100 disabled residents, closed last July because of financial constraints.

According to county records, more than $335,000 was paid to Trinity Protection Services LLC in eight months.

In comparison, the county commissioners awarded the same company a contract last January for $350,000 to secure the county-city building.

County commissioner Carl Baxmeyer stated the decision to provide security to Portage Manor did not require a vote.

"Professional services do not require a vote. So, we did not have a vote," said Baxmeyer.