Budget adjusted

The 2022 budget is nearly finished.

Jay County Council reviewed next year’s budget of roughly $20.17 million with county officials Wednesday.

Council agreed to raise part-time pay 3% in jobs designated in the clerical, office machine operators and technicians classification and to keep part-time wages in other positions equal to full-time.

It also re-opened discussion about the need for Jay County Country Living (formerly known as Jay County Retirement Center).

The 2022 budget is about $20,166,602, which is down approximately $13,406 from its advertised amount last month. Next year’s budget has an increase of just over $1 million –– about 5.3% –– from the current year. It includes $9.44 million in the general fund, up this year’s general fund total of $8.66 million.

Changes for next year from the current budget most notably include county employee raises across the board, ranging from 2% to 6% depending on the classification. (Council approved the wage increases July 21.)

Jay County Highway Department superintendent Donnie Corn explained his budget increased by $195,000 for a new dump truck purchase approved by council and Jay County Commissioners earlier this year.

Jay County Sheriff’s Office requested additional money Wednesday for various expenditures, including $32,750 for a third new vehicle.

Each year, the office trades in two older vehicles for new ones. Sheriff Dwane Ford and chief deputy Patrick Wells approached Jay County Commissioners last month requesting a third vehicle be added to the yearly rotation.

Commissioners Aug. 23 OK’d the sheriff’s office to purchase three new vehicles for the current year at about $90,000 –– it has already purchased its two allotted for 2021 –– with Ford agreeing to contribute half the cost of the third vehicle. That purchase is subject to council members’ decision at their next meeting Sept. 8.

Council member Ray Newton, who previously served two terms as sheriff, questioned several increases requested by Ford, including the third vehicle, an additional $5,817 for ammunition and flares, and an extra $9,610 for telephone costs. (Later in the meeting, council agreed to contribute only $2,000 toward the telephone costs and move money for ammunition from another fund.)

Newton also questioned the necessity for Jay County Country Living. He asked if the facility is making a profit –– county auditor Anna Culy promptly replied it is not –– and wondered aloud why the facility is still operating.

“Our job here is to save the taxpayer money, and we’re not doing it,” Newton said.

Council member Jeanne Houchins said Jay County Country Living has been a subject of discussion for years. (Jay County Country Living’s budget for 2022 is approximately $523,183, or an increase of roughly $23,462 from the current year.)

Council member Ted Champ noted his decision about eliminating the county engineer position was also not popular, and he said shutting down Jay County Country Living might also be an unpopular decision because the facility has been around for a long time.

County officials will be criticized, Newton said, but he said he would like to review the financial numbers and decide how to move forward. Culy said she did not have all of that information readily available but could send a report to council. It agreed to return to the discussion at a later date.

“If I don’t say anything, I’m not doing my job,” Newton said.

Council approved a request from Jay County Prosecutor’s Office and Jay County Superior Court for additional funding. 

Prosecutor Wes Schemenaur cited the five murder trials initially scheduled for this year. (One of those has since been moved to 2022.) He requested a $2,000 increase in the amount allotted for witness fees. Jay Superior Court Judge Gail Dues was not in attendance, but Houchins noted the court also requested a $5,500 increase to account for the rise in doctor fees.

Council will meet again Sept. 8. A public hearing and first reading of the 2022 budget is scheduled for Sept. 15.