Vote ahead on livestock laws (09/19/06)

Jay County Commissioners are expected to make a decision concerning additional rules and regulations for confined feeding operations (CFO) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) next week.

Commissioners president Milo Miller Jr. said Monday afternoon that public input will be heard at 10 a.m. before commissioners make a decision.

A comprehensive study was completed in 2005 by a nine-member group of local educators, businessmen and agriculture specialists concerning CFO and CAFO operations in the county, but action on the committee's recommendations regarding such operations was never taken by commissioners, citing the state's intent to add more regulations as well.

"We'll wait and see what the state does," Miller said at that time.

In April several residents began to express concern about the increased construction of such animal feeding operations, and commissioners again looked at the recommendations. It was decided to have the Jay County Planning Commission revise the regulations if necessary and make a recommendation.

Among the several rules commissioners will be looking at on Monday will be the setback regulations, notification of nearby landowners and additional requirements regarding written plans for the proposed facility.

Commissioners Miller, Gary Theurer and Faron Parr are also expected to discuss recommendations made Monday by Jay County Health Officer Dr. Stephen Myron concerning manure management.

Also Monday afternoon, commissioners agreed to meet Monday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. with Sue Beesley, an attorney with Bingham-McHale LLP, Indianapolis, for an information session about creating a redevelopment commission to govern a proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.

Premier Ethanol LLC, which is building a plant southwest of Portland, has asked the county to create the TIF to help with infrastructure costs at their proposed site.

Commissioners Monday also discussed prospective members of the commission as well as appointments to a regional sewage district board, which is in the formation process as the county attempts to correct a sewage problem in and around the Foxfire addition southwest of Portland.

Creation of the TIF could also help finance a portion of the cost of extending city of Portland sewer service to that addition and other nearby properties.

The county has until Dec. 1 to have such a district board in place and plans to hold a public meeting Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. to show the state that efforts are moving forward.

Miller said he hoped a representative of IDEM could be present at that meeting.

"The (sewage district) board will not create projects," Miller explained, "but will help with projects that come up."

Commissioners Monday also approved a request from Dave Frasher to use the courthouse restrooms on Sept. 30 from 2 to 8 p.m. during the Arch Bridge Kroozers car show.[[In-content Ad]]