Plea made for funding

A local businessman who is president of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce asked Jay County Commissioners to continue funding three organizations.

Scott Bollenbacher, owner of Bollenbacher and Associates and current president of the chamber of commerce, asked commissioners to consider avoiding reducing or eliminating support to Arts Place's Arts in the Parks program, John Jay Center for Learning and Jay County Chamber of Commerce.

The commissioners have discussed in past meetings trimming or eliminating some of their "donations," which go to local organizations as operating support. Those types of contributions totaled more than $100,000 this year.

In 2010, the commissioners chipped in $12,500 toward Arts in the Parks, $25,000 to JJCL and $5,000 to the chamber.

"I would like you to carefully consider the investment you make..." Bollenbacher said.

Bollenbacher drew a connection between the three organizations, citing studies that claim the arts help improve student achievement in children, that increased education helps reduce crime and other social problems, and that educated people bring economic growth.

"It's important to calculate the return the county receives on its investment," he said.

Bollenbacher presented other statistics regarding the benefits of the three organizations and their contribution to the economy and lifestyle of Jay County.

"Please consider funding these organizations at the current level," Bollenbacher closed with.

The commissioners were impressed with Bollenbacher's presentation, with commissioner Faron Parr hailing it as "the best little report I've heard." However, the commissioners could not make any promises to continue full support due to the county's budget crunch.

"We've just got a limited income," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr., noting that the county needs to focus foremost on providing services to its taxpayers. "We've got to have enough money to run the store.

"Our income is getting lower and lower every year," he continued and said the current situation the county is faced with is "sad."

"The funds are just getting less and less," agreed commissioner Jim Zimmerman.

Miller also told Bollenbacher that as the county continues to scrutinize its budget, the commissioners and council also have to consider employees, who haven't received raises since 2008 and are facing increased health insurance costs each year.

Zimmerman told Bollenbacher that he and Parr had worked through a draft of the 2011 commissioners' budget last week with Jay County Auditor Nancy Culy and had reduced, but not eliminated, many of the contributions.

The commissioners said they are still working on their budget for next year, but that the final decisions will ultimately be up to the county council.

"We realize how important each organization is to the community," Parr said.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Were informed by county engineer Dan Watson that he is continuing to work with administrators at POET to keep semi trucks hauling to and from the ethanol plant off of county roads. Watson said he will put up a sign at POET directing trucks to the state highways and that the administration there will also remind drivers to use the proper routes.

•Were approached by Jay County Cemetery Commission member Rex Pinkerton about conducting a survey on the Burris Cemetery, located just west of U.S. 27 near the Jay/Adams county line. Watson told Pinkerton he will contact a surveyor to complete the survey.

The cemetery commission is working to establish the cemetery, which is currently landlocked on privately owned land.

•Made Jay County prosecutor Bob Clamme purchasing agent to buy three computers and monitors at a cost not to exceed $4,200. The purchased will be made from G4 incentive funds.

•Approved running an electrical conduit under the Main Street sidewalk of the Jay County Jail expansion. Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz asked if the commissioners would like the conduit there in case they wanted to power Christmas lights for trees that will be planted in front of the jail or for other uses.

•Spoke with Sheriff Ray Newton about purchasing a new 911 system for the county. Newton informed the commissioners that a 50/50 grant was secured to purchase three new 911 stations at a cost of about $20,000 a piece.

Newton asked whether the commissioners might want purchase a fourth station while the grant is available in preparation for centralized dispatching in the future. The commissioner suggested that three might be purchased from 911 funds and the fourth could be paid for out of the jail bonds if available.

Newton said 911 director Bill Baldwin will attend next week's meeting to discuss the topic more.[[In-content Ad]]