Wind farm $$ to fairgrounds

Jay County Fairgrounds will be getting a new Farmer’s Building.

County commissioners unanimously agreed Wednesday morning to grant $133,000 — the balance of the discretionary economic development funds generated by NextEra Energy’s Bluff Point Wind Energy Center — toward the cost of replacing the 76-year-old structure.

“I’m all for it,” said commissioner Mike Leonhard.

“I see the need,” added commissioner Chuck Huffman.

Wednesday’s appearance by members of the Jay County Fair Board was the third in recent months. Fair board members initially approached the commissioners about the project in October, estimating the cost of a new building at $175,000. They returned earlier this month with a revised estimate of $150,000, but there was a lack of unanimity from the board as to whether the building should be replaced or repaired.

This week, the board spoke with a single voice in support of building new and had a revised estimate of $170,000 along with detailed plans.

Board member Trent Paxson walked the commissioners through a virtual tour of the much-repaired building, detailing its problems.

Those include:

•A beam that has been cut and spliced together.

•A lack of truss support.

•Sagging and warped beams.

•Structural warping and supports that are pulling away from the structure.

•Outdated wiring.

•Walls pulling away from the concrete floor.

•Posts showing rot.

•Exposed rebar in the deteriorating concrete.

•A buckling and leaking roof.

“It’s been a great building, but time has taken its toll,” said Paxson.

The building was initially constructed for 4-H livestock use in 1942. It was moved to its current location in 1983 and is the hub of many activities not only during the fair but also during the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association Show and the Vintage Motor Bike Club’s annual national gathering.

The revised estimate calls for $65,000 for building material, $5,000 for electrical work, $30,000 in concrete work, $12,000 for demolition, $8,000 for water and drainage work, $5,000 for architectural and state-approved plans, $30,000 in labor and a 10 percent contingency fund for any overages.

Those numbers could come down with help from volunteer labor and county employees when it comes to demolition.

“Where does the rest come from?” asked Huffman.

“The more help we can get from you guys the better,” said fair board member Brian Aker, noting that the group plans to apply for a grant from The Portland Foundation.

While commissioners were enthusiastic in their support for the project, they noted that the funds are not likely to be available from NextEra until June of 2020. Construction is expected to go forward as soon as weather allows. 

In other business, commissioners:

•Approved installing a new telephone system at the Jay Emergency Medical Service headquarters from CIPS at a cost of $1,850.

•Authorized payment of some year-end claims from departmental 2018 budgets.

•Approved a new contract with county engineer Dan Watson at an annual cost of $80,578.64.

•Renewed a number of annual appointments for 2019 including: Hinkle, Racster and Schemenaur as legal counsel, Rex Pinkerton as head of the Jay County Cemetery Commission, Bruce Sutton as courthouse superintendent, Ralph Frazee as emergency management director, Watson as highway engineer, Ken Wellman as highway superintendent, Amanda Cox as retirement center director, Cliff Moser as veterans’ service officer, Heath Butz as county health officer, John Hemmelgarn as building and planning director, and the team of Gary Barnett, John McFarland and Emily Anderson to lead JEMS.