Flyover is funded

Look up and smile.
Jay County Council approved an additional appropriation from the reassessment fund Wednesday to pay for a photo flyover of the county.
County assessor Diana Stults told the council the last flyover was done in 2012.
“It’s of use for the whole county, not just reassessment,” she said, noting that the flyover data will be used to update the county’s GIS system. “If you don’t have the updated flyovers, you are losing a lot.”
A total of $34,575 was appropriated for the project, which will take place before trees leaf out this spring. “As long as it’s okay with you, I’ll get them started,” she said.
Council members also unanimously approved appropriating $94,598 from innkeepers’ tax revenues to fund the Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau.
Blake Watson of the tourism bureau board told the council a number of new events are scheduled this year for the Jay County Fairgrounds.
A Great Lakes Gold Wing Road Riders Association rally is set for July 23 to 25, a hot air balloon event is planned for Aug. 15 and 16, and a diesel truck rally is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 26. The Indiana Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s military vehicle show will also return to the fairgrounds for its second year Sept. 18 and 19.
“It’s quite an ambitious list of events this year,” said Watson.
John Moore of the Jay County Trails Club updated council members Mike Leonhard, Gary Theurer, Ted Champ, Bob Vance, Jeanne Houchins, Cindy Newton and Mike Rockwell on a $20,000 grant application that has been submitted to the Indiana State Department of Health to fund a county master plan for trail development.
Jay County Commissioners have pledged up to $10,000 in matching funds for the planning grant. The city of Portland has pledged $5,000 as has Jay County Hospital.
“It’s not going to be more than $40,000 and could probably be done for a lot less than that,” said Moore. The application, he cautioned, “doesn’t mean we’re going to get the grant.”
Moore said the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has been encouraging trail development and envisions Jay County trails that would connect to trails being developed in Adams County and have a link to the Ohio trail system in Union City.
“I think it’s a great thing if you can make it happen,” said councilman Mike Rockwell.
In other business, the council approved a three-year tax abatement for Arrowhead Poultry at the recommendation of Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley. The $2.4 million project will employ 11.
The project has been recommended by the county’s tax abatement advisory committee.
“This would qualify under our rules and under your rules,” said Bradley.