October 2, 2019 at 4:57 p.m.
JCDC gives OK to budget
JCDC gives OK to budget
Jay County Development Corporation on Tuesday approved its 2020 budget.
The budget for next year comes in at $292,352. That is up $8,848 — about 3 percent — from 2019.
JCDC executive director Travis Richards pointed out that deficit spending of about $12,000 is expected in 2020. He added that he does not feel the need to ask for additional financial support from funding sources — the organization is predominantly funded by local government entities — because the corporation has a healthy cash balance but that such a request may be considered in 2021.
Board members also heard from Scott Bollenbacher of Bollenbacher and Associates that its annual audit found no problems. JCDC finished 2018 with total assets of $111,313, which is up more than $31,000 from the previous year.
The board approved its slate of officers for 2020. Doug Loy will serve as president with Doug Stanley as vice president, Trent Paxson as treasurer and Barb Street as secretary.
The budget for next year comes in at $292,352. That is up $8,848 — about 3 percent — from 2019.
JCDC executive director Travis Richards pointed out that deficit spending of about $12,000 is expected in 2020. He added that he does not feel the need to ask for additional financial support from funding sources — the organization is predominantly funded by local government entities — because the corporation has a healthy cash balance but that such a request may be considered in 2021.
Board members also heard from Scott Bollenbacher of Bollenbacher and Associates that its annual audit found no problems. JCDC finished 2018 with total assets of $111,313, which is up more than $31,000 from the previous year.
The board approved its slate of officers for 2020. Doug Loy will serve as president with Doug Stanley as vice president, Trent Paxson as treasurer and Barb Street as secretary.
Rex Journay, Lee Bone and Kim Hathaway will retire from the board, with Mike Medler, Matt Minnich and John Myron joining as new members.
Richards reported that federal funding awarded to Watch Communications to expand broadband internet service in Jay County is expected to be released within the next two months. He explained that there was a delay because of the federal government shutdown that ran from Dec. 22 to Jan. 25.
Ami Huffman of Jay County Community Development updated the board on the Stellar Communities process. The Jay! Region’s development plan was submitted to the state last month and the local Stellar leadership committee is now preparing for its in-person presentation on Nov. 14. Jay! is one of four finalists for the designation, which would open the door to about $38 million in grants and other incentives for local projects.
Board member Bob Lyons expressed concern about JCDC participation as the group barely reached a quorum — 13 of 25 members — Tuesday after failing to have one at its previous three meetings.
“The same people are absent an awful lot,” he said. “I think we need to work harder to find people who want to be on here. … They accepted the invitation to be a part of it, but they’re not participating. … There’s something wrong here.”
In other business, the board:
•Heard from county engineer Dan Watson that half of the bases for the 52 turbines that will make up Bitter Ridge Wind Farm in southwestern Jay County have been poured. He said Mortenson, the contractor for the project, hopes to have the rest complete by the end of November.
•Learned from Richards that JCDC will be part of a regional effort led by the George and Francis Ball Foundation to increase educational attainment. He also noted the students will make visits to local companies Friday as part of manufacturing day.
•Heard from Huffman that she is working on marketing efforts for the 2020 census. She noted that the county had strong response rates in 2010 and that the marketing approach will be similar for 2020.
Richards reported that federal funding awarded to Watch Communications to expand broadband internet service in Jay County is expected to be released within the next two months. He explained that there was a delay because of the federal government shutdown that ran from Dec. 22 to Jan. 25.
Ami Huffman of Jay County Community Development updated the board on the Stellar Communities process. The Jay! Region’s development plan was submitted to the state last month and the local Stellar leadership committee is now preparing for its in-person presentation on Nov. 14. Jay! is one of four finalists for the designation, which would open the door to about $38 million in grants and other incentives for local projects.
Board member Bob Lyons expressed concern about JCDC participation as the group barely reached a quorum — 13 of 25 members — Tuesday after failing to have one at its previous three meetings.
“The same people are absent an awful lot,” he said. “I think we need to work harder to find people who want to be on here. … They accepted the invitation to be a part of it, but they’re not participating. … There’s something wrong here.”
In other business, the board:
•Heard from county engineer Dan Watson that half of the bases for the 52 turbines that will make up Bitter Ridge Wind Farm in southwestern Jay County have been poured. He said Mortenson, the contractor for the project, hopes to have the rest complete by the end of November.
•Learned from Richards that JCDC will be part of a regional effort led by the George and Francis Ball Foundation to increase educational attainment. He also noted the students will make visits to local companies Friday as part of manufacturing day.
•Heard from Huffman that she is working on marketing efforts for the 2020 census. She noted that the county had strong response rates in 2010 and that the marketing approach will be similar for 2020.
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