Duties go beyond regular meetings

Copyright 2017, The Commercial Review

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County commissioners should do a better job of informing the public of their activities beyond the scope of their Monday meetings.

That was the suggestion Monday from former Jay County Commissioner Jim Zimmerman, who noted that the commissioners have taken some heat and criticism over a recent decision to cut back from four meetings a month to two.

The schedule change, which takes effect in May, has been targeted in a letter to the editor, and Jay County Council indicated last week that the change might be reflected in a cut in commissioners’ pay.

“There are several other things you do during the month,” said Zimmerman. “I know there’s a lot more meetings.”

Zimmerman noted that departments are now providing regular activity reports to the commissioners and suggested the commissioners themselves follow suit, detailing the other aspects of their job.

Not only would that help change public perception, it would also show how accessible commissioners are to their constituents, he said.

A 25-percent reduction in pay was initiated by commissioners in 2016 during the budget process and took effect Jan. 1, 2017.

Property owners from southern Jay County who will be affected by the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center project told commissioners Monday they believe a chunk of the economic development funds to be paid by NextEra Energy should be allocated for road improvements in their area.

Under the terms of the county’s wind farm agreement, NextEra will provide $996,000 over four years to be used for economic development purposes.

“This money being generated … I think we need to earmark some of that money for roads,” said Bob Lyons, who has been a leading wind farm advocate. “This is an opportunity we’ve not had in the past.”

“I think we need to have priority,” said Libby Davidson.

But commissioners balked at the suggestion.

“We haven’t looked at this as a whole package,” said commissioner Chuck Huffman. “I’m not ready to make a commitment on anything yet.”

While the wind farm agreement calls for roads to be restored to “as good or better” condition, Lyons and others said work will also need to be done to side ditches.

Commissioners, however, said they want to wait until road funding issues now facing Indiana General Assembly are resolved before moving forward.

“I don’t understand how the state money has any bearing,” countered Lyons.

Commissioner Doug Inman responded, “The state money is for the whole county. This money is also for the whole county. … It’s our responsibility to say where that money will go to benefit the whole county.”

Inman added, “I know you want a commitment, but I’m not ready. I’m not prepared to make that commitment today.”

In other business, commissioners:

•Approved closing the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service office the afternoon of April 27 so staff can take part in a poverty simulation workshop at John Jay Center for Learning.

•Opened bids for asphalt for the Jay County Highway Department. All four bids received were taken under advisement and will be reviewed by highway superintendent Ken Wellman.