Bitter Ridge to move ahead

Bitter Ridge Wind Farm is a go.

Jay County Commissioner Chuck Huffman said Monday Scout Clean Energy has found a buyer for the power that will be generated by Jay County’s second wind farm.

County engineer Dan Watson said he has continued to meet with Pete Endres of Scout over the past month, working on details for the agreement over road use during construction.

“They are still expecting a construction start of August/September of this year,” Watson told commissioners.

The $135-million project calls for 52 turbines in Jefferson and Richland townships. Scout estimates that 41 landowners who have signed leases for the project would be paid $13 million in rent over the lifetime of the project.

Watson also reported that paving projects paid for with economic development funds from Bluff Point Wind Energy Center, which was completed in 2017, are moving forward. 

Paving in Salamonia should be complete as soon as weather permits. Streets in Bryant have been prepped, and Watson expects E&B Paving to move there once Salamonia is done.

“From there they will probably move to Pennville,” he said.

However, Watson noted that as he prepares the budget for 2020 he is concerned about a downward trend in Motor Vehicle and Highway Fund distributions by the state of Indiana.

“The state giveth and the state taketh away,” he said.

He foresees a decrease of $438,000 coming to the county this year when compared to 2018. 

“Why there is that much of a decrease, I don’t know yet. … I don’t know what’s going on with the state,” Watson said.

In other business, commissioners:

•Set in motion the remounting of a Jay Emergency Medical Service ambulance “box” on a new chassis. The upgraded “box” — manufactured by Braun of Lima, Ohio — will be mounted on a Ford chassis. The remount, which extends the life of an ambulance, will cost $114,913.

•Learned from Huffman that talks with Jay School Corporation on establishing a school resource officer position are progressing. “We’re gradually narrowing down the issues,” he said, expressing hope that details can be resolved before the start of the school year.

•Asked Sheriff Dwane Ford to consult with Progressive Office Products of Portland about options for information technology support for the jail.

•Heard concerns, while meeting as the drainage board, about flooding issues along county road 200 South caused by an 18-inch county culvert feeding into a 4-inch field tile. Surveyor Brad Daniels was asked to develop cost estimates and options for addressing the situation.

•Approved a contract with Capital Recovery Systems Inc. at the request of county clerk Jon Eads, who said the county currently has more than $152,000 in unpaid court costs and fees.

•Approved the purchase of new phones for the highway garage from CIPS Inc., Muncie, at a cost of $3,135.

•Approved the May report from the Jay County Retirement Center and learned there would be a carnival at the retirement center June 29.