JCDC continues bylaws discussion

A local organization is hoping to finalize any possible changes to its bylaws next month.

Jay County Development Corporation (JCDC) spent the bulk of its meeting Tuesday continuing to discuss proposed changes to its bylaws, continuing a process that has been ongoing since October.

The possible changes to the organization’s bylaws stem from a proposal presented by county government officials at a meeting in October. A study committee was then formed to review the proposals and make recommendations. That group in February recommended assigning permanent seats on JCDC’s board for one Jay County Commissioner, one Jay County Council member, the mayor of Portland and the mayor of Dunkirk (the change would formalize a practice that the organization has traditionally followed); expanding the executive committee to eight members to include a county commissioner, county council member and one mayor; and creating a code of conduct for all board members.

JCDC executive director Travis Richards explained Tuesday that commissioners had since made a counter proposal. It included the following:

•The commissioners president and council president (or their appointees) be added to the executive board (bringing it to seven members from the current five)

•JCDC fill out an application for funding from the county

•A contract be developed between the county and JCDC

•The county hiring a contracted employee as a community coordinator and grant writer to assist JCDC and all communities within the county

Portland Mayor John Boggs later said both he and Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins would also like their positions to be added to the executive committee.

Board member Mike Medler raised concerns about the expense of hiring a community coordinator and grant writer, saying hiring a grant writer with the qualifications likely needed to do the job could cost north of $100,000 annually. (The position would be paid for entirely by the county.)

Rob Keisling, another board member, noted that the proposal essentially removes grant writing, which had been part of the Jay County Community Development job, from JCDC and shifts it to county government.

Board members asked who will develop the contract between the county and JCDC (it would require approval from both entities) that would lay out expectations for the organization. (Medler asked if similar performance standards would be implemented for other county branches, such as a highway department.)

Richards questioned why the push was being made to shift the community development position from JCDC to the county.

That led to a back-to-forth between Richards and Jay County Commissioner Brian McGalliard, who also serves on the JCDC board, with the latter indicating that JCDC staff has said there is not enough funding for the community development position and that they have been overwhelmed. Richards responded that the funding issue was caused when commissioners cut JCDC’s budget by $20,000 and that the organization has been without one of its three positions since August.

“This is the direction the county’s going to go,” said McGalliard, repeating the same phrase after Richards again asked for a reason.

The JCDC board decided to send the latest proposal back to its study committee for review and to make final recommendations for the board to vote on at a special meeting likely to be scheduled for sometime in May.

“It is very difficult to pull apart economic development and community development in today’s world,” said board member Barb Street. “I am a proponent of coordination and working together …

“I hope that heading down this path that we figure out how to impart that to our employees our expectations of working together for the good of our community and our county.”

Providing information requested at the previous JCDC meeting, Richards noted that the organization had received 17 requests for information from companies in February and March and responded to two. That information led to a brief discussion about what the county is lacking in terms of being able to attract new industry.

Richards noted that some requests require close access to a large airport or proximity to an interstate, factors that eliminate Jay County. He added that the key issue that the county could potentially change is the need for existing buildings and/or available land.

McGalliard brought up the possibility of constructing a spec building. County council member Faron Parr, who serves on the JCDC board and is also a former commissioner, noted that it took at least five years for the community to fill the last spec building it constructed about two decades ago. Richards and others noted that challenges of being able to predict specific needs, such as the size of the building or height of ceilings required for a specific business or industry.

Bryan Alexander later expressed frustration, noting that the board didn’t start talking about economic development until 59 minutes into what is typically scheduled as an hour-long meeting. He pushed for JCDC’s board to develop a clarity of its mission, advocating for efforts like providing high-speed and housing rather than “chasing smokestacks.”

Chad Towell added that in his conversations with local realtors, the main factors families look at when considering moving to a community are schools and youth activities.

In other business, the board:

•Was reminded that finalists for the Jay County Community Awards finalists were announced this week. Ballots will go out to Jay County Chamber of Commerce members soon, and winners will be announced during a banquet May 13.

•Learned from Mary Adair of Jay County Visitors & Tourism Bureau that the organization has launched a new website at visitjaycounty.com.

•Was informed that Redkey Fun for Kidz will host a circus May 26.

•Heard from Towell that Jay County 4-H will hold its annual barbecue pork carry-out dinner April 29 at Jay County Fairgrounds.