County may retain consultant

Jay County Commissioners want to explore the possibility of putting financial consultant Greg Guerrettaz on a multi-year retainer.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to pursue having Guerrettaz available as a consultant on an on-call basis for a period of five years as the county works its way toward better fiscal health.
Jay County Council members serving on a joint budget committee had expressed interest in establishing that relationship, commissioner Doug Inman said.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a letter drafted by Inman and county auditor Anna Culy asking all department heads to submit three-year capital spending projections within the next two weeks. The three-year plans would be updated annually on a rolling basis, Inman said.
Development of such plans was another of the recommendations from Guerrettaz that surfaced in the joint budget committee’s meeting Wednesday. Its next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. June 1.
Concerns continued to be expressed Monday about a proposed turkey confined feeding operation in Jackson Township. Richard Frank joined Michael Landers in raising questions about the operation. The commissioners have also received letters from others concerned about the project.
Building and planning director John Hemmelgarn said that in the face of a number of complaints received he has requested additional information about the turkey operation, and commissioners suggested that current zoning ordinances be revised to require more detailed information at the outset of the application process.
That issue was sent back to the Jay County Planning Commission for review. Other recommended revisions in confined feeding setback requirements are still awaiting action by the commissioners.
In other business, commissioners:
•Agreed to approach county council about tapping the infrastructure fund to pay for repairs at Jay County Retirement Center.
•Approved the use of the area around the courthouse for a Farmers’ Market again this summer. Courthouse restrooms will be open during the market.
•Approved an amended contract between the county and Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Aging.
•Heard a presentation by LEAP IT (formerly Thomas Office Solutions) on a variety of information technology services available from the company.
•Acting as the county drainage board approved the combining of a number of parcels for ditch assessment purposes as requested by Paul and Barbara Eicher, 1863 E. 500 North, and Daniel S. and Esther Shetler, 6336 N. 375 West.