Commissioners raise bridge fund tax rate

Jay County Commissioners approved a resolution Wednesday to move the county’s cumulative bridge fund from 3 cents on the tax rate to 4 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

For many years, the bridge fund rate was 6 cents. But in 2016, it was pulled back to 3 cents in order to relieve financial pressure on the county’s general fund.

The penny on the tax rate change is expected to have an impact of about $95,000 if it is approved during the county’s budget process later this year and is approved by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.

“That’s really a max,” said commissioner Chuck Huffman. “The final budget process will determine whether it actually goes up to 4 cents.”

Auditor Anna Culy told commissioners that the county’s June 30 fund balances look healthier at mid-year than they have in some time thanks to a period of fiscal restraint.

“That was a county effort,” she said, crediting the Jay County Council, other elected officials and department heads for the improved financial situation. “There’’s a lot more that can be done, but it’s looking better.”

In other business at Wednesday’s special meeting, commissioners returned to their concerns about the safety of the intersection of county road 300 South and Boundary Pike.

“It comes back to enforcement,” said Huffman, noting that the commissioners had rejected the idea of making the intersection a 4-way stop.

“The commissioners have asked the sheriff to enforce the current law,” said commissioner Barry Hudson. “The issue is the sheriff’s got to do his job.”