New sheriff's fund gets OK

Jay County Sheriff’s Office is one step closer to receiving access to new funding.
Jay County Council approved a petty cash fund from the Drug Free Sheriff program for the department on Wednesday.
The money will be used for drug operations, such as during drug buys and similar matters. It will begin with $2,000, and can be built upon through money acquired in drug busts. 
Funding for the Drug Free Sheriff program originates from fines, fees and forfeiture funds. The account requires one more round of approval from Indiana Department of Local Government Finance before being made available to the sheriff’s office
Jay County Council members, absent Cindy Newton, also approved a request appropriating leftover funds from the sheriff’s salary line item to be used for the purchase of the department’s new K-9 officer Aron. The $7,000 was leftover because of a difference between Sheriff Dwane Ford’s salary and the previous sheriff’s rate of pay.
In addition, Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley presented the council with a request for $229 to be put towards the travel expenses of Ralph Frazee. Bradley said it is the last portion of funding necessary for Frazee to attend a fly-in to Washington D.C. for a conference involving the East Central Indiana Planning District, which is comprised of Grant, Delaware, Blackford and Jay County representatives. The planning district identifies grant opportunities, said Bradley.
“It’s a possibility for (Frazee) to go out and meet the congressman,” said Bradley. “Jay County should somehow be represented in this group.”
The funding approved by the council is supplemented by $1,000 approved by Jay County Commissioners and $750 from Frazee’s own budget.
In other business, Jay County Council members Mike Leonhard, Gary Theurer, Jeanne Houchins, Mike Rockwell and Bob Vance also:
•Approved a contribution of $2,000 from local option income tax (LOIT) funds to Peggy Sinova for the development of local business.
•Approved the transfer of $1,473.97 and $4,471 from local option certified shares health insurance funds to liability insurance funds for insurance for county employees and on Jay County Sheriff’s Office vehicles.