County appointments made (12/08/2008)

With 2009 on the doorstep, the Jay County Commissioners worked this morning on appointments and reappointments to several boards.

The commissioners took care of openings on committees around the county - including naming the first four members to the Jay County Building Corporation, which will oversee money for the Jay County Jail expansion.

The commissioners approved appointment of Mark Tatman, Todd Wickey, Carl Walker and Jane Ann Runyon to the building corporation. The commissioners are still searching for a fifth and final member to the board and have been considering current Jay Superior Court Judge Joel Roberts, who will leave office Jan. 1.

Other appointments and reappointments made this morning include: Bill Hinkle, hospital board; Jane Ann Spencer, cemetery association; Bill Baughman and Charles Miller, regional sewer district; Al Confer, visitor and tourism board; and Jay King, alcoholic beverage board. The commissioners also approved retention of all ongoing appointments.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Approved combination of property for Portland resident Gary Gibson. Gibson, who owns three properties near Creagor and Lafayette streets, wanted them combined into two to cut back on drainage assessments. Jay County surveyor Brad Daniels said the combination met all necessary criteria and recommended it to the commissioners.

•Were informed by Jay County Soil and Water Conservation coordinator Bettie Jacobs of two upcoming events, including the district's annual meeting Feb. 18, and will celebrate its 50th year.

•Made judge-elect Max Ludy agent to place an order for new recording equipment and furniture for the Jay Superior Court. Ludy said an order needs to be placed before Jan. 1 in order to take advantage of lower prices.

The purchases will not be delivered or billed until next year and the money has been allocated in the court's 2009 budget.

•Were informed by Purdue cooperative extension director John Knipp about two property-tax information seminars being held on Feb. 10. One at noon will have a focus toward those in agriculture and one at 7 p.m. in the courthouse auditorium that will be geared toward the general public.

Knipp also introduced three new staff members who have recently joined the office.

•Signed an emergency claim to pay for binder costs with Anthem for health insurance coverage for county employees and elected officials. The insurance group requires the first month's payment of $74,155.91 up front.

•Approved release of $41,294 to make payments related to the Dunkirk Fire and EMS station while Jay County Community Development waits for its next draw from the state's grant funding.

Community developer Ami Huffman also told commissioners that work has slowed while workers are waiting for Vectren Energy to install a new gas line to the structure. Huffman said it's been about eight weeks and the company has still not come to install the line.[[In-content Ad]]