July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Council puts condidtions on JCDC budget (08/08/07)
Jay County Council
By By TRAVIS MINNEAR-
The Jay County Community Developer is coming under fire again, and this time she may be fighting for her job.
Jay County Council approved a motion during Tuesday night's budget hearing to fund community development - headed by Ami Huffman - for only six months of 2008.
The other half of the department's proposed budget of $86,410 will be held until the council receives "documented satisfactory reports from other governmental units that the position has been fulfilled," Councilman Gerald Kirby said.
The position of community developer, which was created in 2000, is an employee of Jay County Development Corporation. The budget for the position has always been completely funded by county tax revenue.
Kirby said problems with a Salamonia school renovation project overseen by Huffman are part of the reason action was taken.
Kirby added that other communities have had issues or problems in dealings with the county community developer.
"This gives the community developer as a person and the board that oversees that department a chance to pull things together and make it work. At this point, I don't believe it is working," Kirby said.
The motion passed 3-2, but not without debate. Kirby, Judy LeMaster and Fred Bailey voted for the measure while Jim Zimmerman and council President Marilyn Coleman registered marks against it. Councilmen Mike Leonhard and George Meehan were not present.
Huffman received support from several people at the meeting.
Zimmerman said he didn't believe it was the council's job to "micromanage" positions in the community.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said the city's relations with the community development arm of JCDC have been "positive and professional." He stressed the importance of a cohesive community to help solve problems.
"Rural counties have to work together," Hosier said.
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. talked to the council about the significance of the community developer's duties. "Keep in mind the position and not the person. The position is important to Jay County."
In other business, the Jay County clerk requested an increase in funds for 2008 to purchase 10 new electronic voting machines.
Jane Ann Runyon said new machines are needed to help reduce long lines that are likely to occur during the 2008 presidential election.
The cost of 10 voting machines and a "high-speed printer" is projected at $32,200. Runyon said prices for the machines are going to increase at the beginning of 2008, so obtaining them sooner will save money.
The county currently has 50 electronic voting machines with 47 available for general public use, Runyon said. Two others are used for absentee balloting and another for demonstrations.
"I won't guarantee it'll alleviate all lines, but you shouldn't have to stand that long," Runyon said.[[In-content Ad]]
Jay County Council approved a motion during Tuesday night's budget hearing to fund community development - headed by Ami Huffman - for only six months of 2008.
The other half of the department's proposed budget of $86,410 will be held until the council receives "documented satisfactory reports from other governmental units that the position has been fulfilled," Councilman Gerald Kirby said.
The position of community developer, which was created in 2000, is an employee of Jay County Development Corporation. The budget for the position has always been completely funded by county tax revenue.
Kirby said problems with a Salamonia school renovation project overseen by Huffman are part of the reason action was taken.
Kirby added that other communities have had issues or problems in dealings with the county community developer.
"This gives the community developer as a person and the board that oversees that department a chance to pull things together and make it work. At this point, I don't believe it is working," Kirby said.
The motion passed 3-2, but not without debate. Kirby, Judy LeMaster and Fred Bailey voted for the measure while Jim Zimmerman and council President Marilyn Coleman registered marks against it. Councilmen Mike Leonhard and George Meehan were not present.
Huffman received support from several people at the meeting.
Zimmerman said he didn't believe it was the council's job to "micromanage" positions in the community.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said the city's relations with the community development arm of JCDC have been "positive and professional." He stressed the importance of a cohesive community to help solve problems.
"Rural counties have to work together," Hosier said.
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. talked to the council about the significance of the community developer's duties. "Keep in mind the position and not the person. The position is important to Jay County."
In other business, the Jay County clerk requested an increase in funds for 2008 to purchase 10 new electronic voting machines.
Jane Ann Runyon said new machines are needed to help reduce long lines that are likely to occur during the 2008 presidential election.
The cost of 10 voting machines and a "high-speed printer" is projected at $32,200. Runyon said prices for the machines are going to increase at the beginning of 2008, so obtaining them sooner will save money.
The county currently has 50 electronic voting machines with 47 available for general public use, Runyon said. Two others are used for absentee balloting and another for demonstrations.
"I won't guarantee it'll alleviate all lines, but you shouldn't have to stand that long," Runyon said.[[In-content Ad]]
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