Redkey tables animal control proposal

REDKEY — Town council will wait until after the new year to dive into a discussion about potential participation in a county-wide animal control project.

Redkey Town Council on Thursday tabled discussion of its financial contribution to the animal control effort until January.

Council also heard several updates from town employee Randy Young, including that a water loss report shows a loss of more than 3 million gallons of water this year, and approved its contract with Indiana Department of Transportation for a sidewalk project.

Julie Forcum, chair of the county’s animal control task force, presented council with the group’s recommendations. They include constructing a new animal control shelter for an estimated $1.1 million, with the county and each of its municipalities contributing toward that total. Redkey’s suggested contribution is $22,750. (The remaining money would come via a fundraising campaign.)

The county and its municipalities would also be asked to contribute annually toward the operating costs of the facility, which would be managed by Jay County Humane Society. Redkey’s requested annual contribution is $6,650. The facility would provide animal control countywide.

Redkey Town Council president Gary Gardner said he’s in favor of the idea but “the way you’ve come about doing it, really, I disagree with.” He expressed concern about the town’s ability to cover those costs and said he feels contributions should not be based on population.

Gardner suggested tabling the issue until 2021, with council members Randy May, Dottie Quakenbush and Erik Hammers, absent John Pierce, joining him in voting to do so.

Forcum noted that Jay County Commissioners hope to convene a meeting of all parties potentially involved in the project some time in early 2021.

While giving reports for the various town departments, Young noted that the town’s state-required water loss audit has been completed and independently validated.

It will be sent to the state today.

He noted that Redkey scored a 49 out of 100 on the audit, which showed the town lost more than 3 million gallons of water this year.

Young also said Kristine Harvey of Water Solutions Unlimited has turned in the phosphorus removal report for the wastewater treatment plant. He expects a cost estimate on related work in January.

He also noted that Peerless Midwest will visit the town water plant Dec. 29. The company will clean and repaint the water tower next year and a new valve may need to be installed to allow bypassing the filters while that work is completed.

Council approved its contract with Indiana Department of Transportation for a new sidewalk that will connect Redkey Elementary School to Redkey Morgan Park. The sidewalk will run west along Main Street between Elm and Mooney streets and then south along Mooney Street to the park.

INDOT is funding the bulk of the project, which has been in the works for more than three years.

Gardner also reported to the board that its representative, Doug Stanley, resigned from the Jay County Development Corporation board following the resignation of Ami Huffman, who had served as Jay County Community Development director. Huffman came under fire because of Facebook comments regarding the October “American Patriots Day” event.

“I think they treated her like crap,” said Gardner. “And I stand behind him.”

Gardner said he’d be willing to take Stanley’s place representing Redkey on the JCDC board, though council held off on making a formal appointment.

In other business, the board:

•Welcomed new clerk-treasurer Mary Eley, who took over the job last week following the retirement of Debbie James. Eley then introduced her new clerk, Pamela Collett, who previously served as clerk-treasurer of Hartford City.

•Heard Gardner express concern about Redkey Town Marshal Todd Miller carrying over vacation days.

•Was asked by Bill Tressler of Bill Tressler Backhoe & Trenching about his town contract, which expires at the end of the year. Gardner said another company is interested in providing those services and that he would like to seek quotes before awarding the contract for 2021.

•Heard Gardner say he plans to seek additional quotes for town insurance and present them prior to the end of the year. Redkey currently has insurance through Barnum-Brown Insurance in Dunkirk.

•Scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. Dec. 30.

•Approved one water bill adjustment.