Council approves payment for upgrades

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With a bill finally in hand, Jay County Council agreed Wednesday to pay for work on emergency management radios.

Jay County Emergency Management Agency director Ralph Frazee came to council asking for payment of the invoice, explaining that federal regulations required updating the radios to a narrow-band system. Funds for the upgrades were approved last June, but the work was not completed until July 21.

Council approved paying a bill of $18,438 from J&K Communications of Columbia City from the community capital development fund for the work. An additional bill of about $10,500 is expected for the upgrades.

Council also reviewed estimates how much each taxing unit will lose because of tax caps in 2018 based on projections from Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.

According to the estimates, Jay School Corporation will be hardest hit by tax caps, losing $492,512 in potential tax collections with Portland close behind at $450,834. Other expected losses to tax caps include $270,871 for the county and $145,486 for Dunkirk.

In other business, council members Jeanne Houchins, Ted Champ, Bob Vance, Gary Theurer, Mike Rockwell, Cindy Newton and Faron Parr:

•Were informed that the public defender’s office will request $13,000 less in its budget for 2018 compared to this year. Auditor Anna Culy said the reduction is because the office has been handling fewer cases.

•Approved a total of $4,432.04 in transfers from the Community Corrections Grant to adjust balances in a series of funds.

•Clarified that a Community Corrections position that was unfilled at the time 3-percent raises were approved last year will receive the raise as well.

•Set a personnel committee meeting for 7 p.m. Aug. 16 to immediately follow a joint session of the county commissioners and council at 5 p.m.