Newton, Ford are collaborating

Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton told county commissioners Monday he’s working with sheriff-elect Dwane Ford to assure a smooth transition going into the new year.
“It’s down to trying to get everything ready for him,” said Newton, who served the legal limit of two consecutive terms as sheriff. “It’s going to be nice to take a break, but I will miss it.”
Newton will stay with Jay County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy.
Commissioners agreed unanimously Monday to borrow $147,750 from First Merchants Bank to finance the purchase of a Case frontloader for the county highway department. The loan, which will be paid back through the department’s annual budget, carries a 3-year term and an interest rate of 1.709 percent. There is also a $195 loan fee.
The First Merchants proposal was the best of those submitted by MainSource Bank, Citizens State Bank, Bank of Geneva and First Bank of Berne.
Quotes on a chassis for a new dump truck for the highway department were opened and taken under advisement by the commissioners, pending a recommendation from highway superintendent Ken Wellman. The quotes ranged from a low of $93,000 to a high of $110,289 depending upon the size of the engine.
Requests for infrastructure funds that had already been allocated by the commissioners were approved for Salamonia and Redkey.
Salamonia will use $1,222 from funds generated by tipping fees at Jay County Landfill for repairs on the town’s old school building.
Redkey will put $11,196 to use providing a new roof for its fire station.
In other business, the commissioners:
•Approved a request to combine two properties at 941 W. North St. into a single ditch assessment because there is only one house standing on the two lots.
•Learned the annual Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District meeting will be Feb. 25 and the featured speaker will be Odette Menard, a soil scientist from Quebec.
•Received a contract proposal from sheriff-elect Dwane Ford and forwarded it to attorney Bill Hinkle for review. The contract is for the amount budgeted by the county.
•Opened quotes for stone and fuel supplies for the coming year.