Commissioners rescind EDIT plan

Commissioners are changing the course.

Jay County Commissioners rescinded Jay County Development Corporation’s five-year economic development plan and took a variety of other actions during a meeting Monday. By rescinding the plan, commissioners hope to allocate economic development income tax (EDIT) funds quicker and more freely.

In 2020, JCDC put together a five-year plan for EDIT dollars that was approved by commissioners, Jay County Council and city and town councils throughout the county. It set priorities of using such funds for spec buildings, developing industrial land, acquiring land for industrial, residential and commercial use, investing in downtown, revolving loans for local businesses, blight eradication and as a match for grants like the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings program.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard explained federal regulation no longer requires a five-year plan for EDIT funds. He referenced Indiana Code 6-3.6-10-2, which denotes purposes in which counties, cities or towns may use revenue allocated for economic development.

“According to state statute, we can spend that money at our discretion,” said McGalliard. “It does not have to go back to county council, EDIT advisory, anything like that. It’s our discretion how to spend that money.”

He noted rescinding the current five-year plan would allow commissioners to designate the funds more freely, pointing out it would also do away with the previous requirement of seeking approval from Jay County Council and a recommendation from EDIT advisory board.

Commissioners voted to rescind the plan.

They also signed a resolution adopting a funding application for individuals, businesses or organizations seeking local government dollars, such as EDIT or solar farm economic development funds. It will be available online or at Jay County Auditor’s Office.

Commissioner Chad Aker referenced the application in relation to the discussion about EDIT funds.

“It’s fair to anybody that wants to apply,” he said.

McGalliard suggested — and commissioners agreed — to create a fund for contractual services. The account would allow commissioners to transfer dollars from the JCDC fund to a separate fund in order to better track payments to organizations and abide by state statute, according to McGalliard.

They also tabled a $210,000 claim for JCDC’s annual budget.

Aker suggested they put the claim on hold in the midst of discussion between the organization and county officials.

JCDC is considering making changes to its bylaws that would assign permanent seats on the executive committee to several local government officials and also establish a code of conduct. The possible changes stem from a proposal made by county and municipal government officials that would have given them control of half of the seats on JCDC’s executive committee. Their proposal also included removing board members who miss three consecutive meetings and reducing the board — by attrition — from its current 25 members.

Also Monday, commissioner heard from Jenny Bricker, a resident leading the effort to relocate the Indiana 26 (Water Street) bridge over the Salamonie River on the east side of Portland.

She explained Indiana Department of Transportation has proposed the group commit just over $489,000 to disassemble and move the bridge before its destruction in April. It could then raise funds — the work is estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million — to restore and reassemble the bridge in a new location.

The matter comes down to funding, she said. INDOT needs a commitment by March 10. (The date recently moved up by five days.)

“My biggest concern is if we were to do a … commitment, we’re on the line for this roughly half a million dollars. If that doesn’t get raised, we have to pay that,” said Aker, referencing the current budget shortfall. “We can’t afford — we don’t have the money for this.”

Journay added the county has other needs to fulfill. McGalliard pointed out the issue is a fiscal decision for the city to make.

Commissioners accepted an agreement with Havel for maintenance at Jay County Sheriff’s Office and Jay County Jail for a total $35,088. (The cost will come out of the sheriff’s budget.)

Havel employee Tony Ashley explained the price came at a 12% increase since 2017. It includes full labor, covering maintenance and repair work, as well as overtime and emergency work. (Additional fees would be tacked on for extra parts or installing new equipment.) Sheriff Ray Newton vouched for the company, pointing out equipment at the jail runs nonstop and needs regular upkeep.

In related business, commissioners also signed an application to apply for a matching grant through the Small, Rural and Tribal Body-Worn Camera micro grant program in hopes of purchasing body cameras for the sheriff’s office.

Commissioners approved an ordinance amending the Jay County personnel policy handbook in relation to time off, or flexible hours, for positions exempt and excluded from compensatory time. It allows flexible hours for employees “to avoid working in excess of the normal workweek schedule,” according to the ordinance.

“Flex-time,” as it’s referred to, must be approved in advance by the elected official or department head in charge. Employees must use their accrued flex-time by two dates — June 30 and Dec. 31 — each year or lose it.

In other business, commissioners Aker, Journay and McGalliard:

•Approved an ordinance turning the intersection of county road 300 South and Boundary Pike into a four-way stop. (It will take effect within 30 days of publishing a legal notice.) Flashing lights will be attached to the signs to alert drivers to the change in traffic.

•Agreed to purchase new desks and a raised platform from Rick Clifton Contracting for $16,331. The desks will be installed in the courthouse auditorium, where officials plan to begin meeting.

•Reviewed a 2022 report from Jay/Portland Building and Planning Department. Last year, the department issued 305 permits, including 52 for commercial use, 18 for new homes and three for confined feeding operations.

•Agreed to invest in a $5,000 income study through Kleinpeter Consulting Group.

•Heard from courthouse superintendent Bruce Sutton the stained glass tiles in the ceiling will be removed and taken for repairs Monday.

•OK’d purchasing a laptop for the sheriff’s office and buying new vehicle emergency lights and installing radio equipment for $3,473.26 in Jay County Emergency Management Agency’s truck.

•Learned Purdue Extension Office of Jay County is looking for a new agriculture and natural resource educator. Qualifications include at least a bachelor’s degree in agriculture or a related field.

•Heard from Bob Howell of Jay County Highway Department, who reminded commissioners that local residents wishing to construct dust mats on roads must pay for the entire cost. The county previously contributed a portion of the cost for residents but was recently informed it is not allowed to do so per state guidelines.

•Appointed Ted Champ, Carl Walker and McGalliard to Jay County Redevelopment Commission, Missy Putterbaugh to Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau and Virginia Burkey to the Community and Family Services board. (They also agreed to look into the matter of appointing a member to Jay County Community Corrections board.)

•OK’d raising fees for six watersheds in Jay County by 25%.

•Gave permission to county recorder Melanie Upp to open a county credit card for her office.

•Paid claims, including: $2,506.90 for filing cabinets at the sheriff’s office, $1,562 for a laptop at the sheriff’s office and $750 to Jon Funk for his appraisal of about 68 acres on the western city limits of Portland.