June 13, 2023 at 7:42 p.m.
County OKs deal on software
Commissioners also propose agreement for server
County OKs deal on software
By Bailey Cline-
The county and city are splitting the cost of a new mapping service.
Jay County has also proposed an agreement for how to share the cost of the server used by local law enforcement moving forward.
Jay County Commissioners will pay $45,000 for the installation of Motorola Solutions software, Spillman Flex, with the City of Portland to pay the other $45,000.
They have also proposed during a meeting Monday to contribute 50% of the cost for the server annually, with Portland to cover 40% and the remainder to be split between Pennville and Redkey.
Jay County and Portland entered into an inter-local agreement for Spillman in 2014. Some details about the agreement were not clear, explained county and city attorney Wes Schemenaur. At that time, the city also more fully implemented the system than the county was able to because of an incompatibility with tying into its 911 services. Redkey and Pennville, as well as Portland Fire Department, also use the Spillman system.
Commissioner Chad Aker explained plans to make an addendum to the existing inter-local agreement, stipulating the county contribute half the annual cost for the server, with Portland to pay 40% and Redkey and Pennville to each pay 5%.
Sheriff Ray Newton noted original plans had been to split the cost. The county has been covering the majority of the contract with Spillman for the last several years, having paid $269,000 compared to the city covering $33,000.
“That was the whole deal, was try to get it to where it was even,” said Newton. “It just never happened.”
Schemenaur noted Portland Board of Works recently approved covering half of the mapping expense, but the city has not yet approved the addendum to the inter-local agreement. Answering a question from commissioner Rex Journay, Schemenaur confirmed he will share the proposal with Redkey Town Council during its meeting Thursday. Newton said he will reach out to Pennville about the matter.
In related news, commissioners also approved a five-year contract for Spillman’s services, with the costs to be worked out at a later date.
Also Monday, commissioners approved 911 computer upgrades, with Newton explaining the current hardware dates back to 2010. (Because of maintenance fees with outdated equipment, the switch should save the county $3,000 annually. The new equipment is expected to cost about $35,000.)
Commissioners also agreed to put out a request for quotes for development of 68 acres on the western edge of Portland.
County officials adopted a resolution in February to move forward with purchasing the land. In March, commissioners approved a $1.16 million claim for the buy using coronavirus relief funds via the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Hopes are to create infrastructure for housing on the property. Additional projects have also been considered, such as creating a multi-faceted public safety building.
Commissioners on Monday also approved a joint resolution authorizing the commissioners president to execute any and all documents necessary to direct First Merchants Bank to release $1,291,955 to IU Health Jay from its escrow fund for completed capital improvement projects. (The decision will move next to Jay County Council, which meets at 7 p.m. tonight.)
Jay County and IU Health Jay entered into a capital improvement escrow agreement in 2018 when IU Health took ownership of the local hospital. At that time, IU Health agreed to make $5 million in capital improvements to the hospital by 2021, and the funds were deposited at First Merchants Bank to be reimbursed to the hospital upon completion of its projects.
The escrow agreement was amended in 2020 because of delays from the coronavirus pandemic, with $1.25 of the total transferred to The Portland Foundation. So far, nearly $1.3 million in capital improvement projects have been completed, but First Merchants Bank would not release the funds without a resolution from both commissioners and council.
Representatives from IU Health Jay noted Monday three projects — expanding outpatient behavioral health services, enhancing outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services and enhancing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services — that have either been completed or are anticipated to be completed next year.
Aker also reminded commissioners the deadline for organizations to request funding from Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) dollars is June 23.
Commissioners also approved a contract with Kleinpeter Consulting, with commissioner Brian McGalliard pointing out the Office of Community and Rural Affairs requires communities involved in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program to have a certified grant writer.
In other business, commissioners:
•OK’d contributing funds to chip and seal about a half mile of road at Jay County Fairgrounds. The county will pay for the emulsion (about $13,000), with Jay County Fair Board to cover the cost of stone. Aker noted the fairgrounds are county property.
•Approved a 60-month contract with phone service provider SpectrumVoIP for Jay Emergency Medical Service. Director John McFarland noted the company works through the internet, allowing supervisors to receive messages instantly when not at the Portland or Dunkirk base. The contract includes six phone lines at a cost of $172.14 per month.
•Learned the dust mat program through Jay County Highway Department has been delayed until the end of June or early July because of a delay in receiving supplies. Highway superintendent Eric Butcher noted there are 75 county residents signed up for the program, which will cover approximately 3,800 feet this year.
•Approved an agreement for LifeStream Services to purchase four buses at $458,456. The cost is covered through a state grant.
•Gave permission to Jay County Sheriff’s Office to sell six shotguns and one rifle.
•Appointed Shannon Current as Jay School Corporation’s non-voting representative on Jay County Redevelopment Commission.
•OK’d an overnight trip for two Jay County Health Department employees to visit a nurses conference June 28 and June 29 in Carmel.
•Paid claims, including a $150,006 quarterly claim for LifeStream Services — part of the cost is covered by a grant through Indiana Department of Transportation — a new mini van for LifeStream Services at $44,805, a total of $5,850.23 in claims to Gordon Food Service for meals at Jay County Jail and $881.40 to Indiana Bond Bank for its fuel budget program.
•Tabled a funding request from Steve Craig for new pickleball courts in Portland. (The project has been funded through donations and was approved at a Portland Park Board meeting last week
Jay County has also proposed an agreement for how to share the cost of the server used by local law enforcement moving forward.
Jay County Commissioners will pay $45,000 for the installation of Motorola Solutions software, Spillman Flex, with the City of Portland to pay the other $45,000.
They have also proposed during a meeting Monday to contribute 50% of the cost for the server annually, with Portland to cover 40% and the remainder to be split between Pennville and Redkey.
Jay County and Portland entered into an inter-local agreement for Spillman in 2014. Some details about the agreement were not clear, explained county and city attorney Wes Schemenaur. At that time, the city also more fully implemented the system than the county was able to because of an incompatibility with tying into its 911 services. Redkey and Pennville, as well as Portland Fire Department, also use the Spillman system.
Commissioner Chad Aker explained plans to make an addendum to the existing inter-local agreement, stipulating the county contribute half the annual cost for the server, with Portland to pay 40% and Redkey and Pennville to each pay 5%.
Sheriff Ray Newton noted original plans had been to split the cost. The county has been covering the majority of the contract with Spillman for the last several years, having paid $269,000 compared to the city covering $33,000.
“That was the whole deal, was try to get it to where it was even,” said Newton. “It just never happened.”
Schemenaur noted Portland Board of Works recently approved covering half of the mapping expense, but the city has not yet approved the addendum to the inter-local agreement. Answering a question from commissioner Rex Journay, Schemenaur confirmed he will share the proposal with Redkey Town Council during its meeting Thursday. Newton said he will reach out to Pennville about the matter.
In related news, commissioners also approved a five-year contract for Spillman’s services, with the costs to be worked out at a later date.
Also Monday, commissioners approved 911 computer upgrades, with Newton explaining the current hardware dates back to 2010. (Because of maintenance fees with outdated equipment, the switch should save the county $3,000 annually. The new equipment is expected to cost about $35,000.)
Commissioners also agreed to put out a request for quotes for development of 68 acres on the western edge of Portland.
County officials adopted a resolution in February to move forward with purchasing the land. In March, commissioners approved a $1.16 million claim for the buy using coronavirus relief funds via the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Hopes are to create infrastructure for housing on the property. Additional projects have also been considered, such as creating a multi-faceted public safety building.
Commissioners on Monday also approved a joint resolution authorizing the commissioners president to execute any and all documents necessary to direct First Merchants Bank to release $1,291,955 to IU Health Jay from its escrow fund for completed capital improvement projects. (The decision will move next to Jay County Council, which meets at 7 p.m. tonight.)
Jay County and IU Health Jay entered into a capital improvement escrow agreement in 2018 when IU Health took ownership of the local hospital. At that time, IU Health agreed to make $5 million in capital improvements to the hospital by 2021, and the funds were deposited at First Merchants Bank to be reimbursed to the hospital upon completion of its projects.
The escrow agreement was amended in 2020 because of delays from the coronavirus pandemic, with $1.25 of the total transferred to The Portland Foundation. So far, nearly $1.3 million in capital improvement projects have been completed, but First Merchants Bank would not release the funds without a resolution from both commissioners and council.
Representatives from IU Health Jay noted Monday three projects — expanding outpatient behavioral health services, enhancing outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services and enhancing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services — that have either been completed or are anticipated to be completed next year.
Aker also reminded commissioners the deadline for organizations to request funding from Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) dollars is June 23.
Commissioners also approved a contract with Kleinpeter Consulting, with commissioner Brian McGalliard pointing out the Office of Community and Rural Affairs requires communities involved in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program to have a certified grant writer.
In other business, commissioners:
•OK’d contributing funds to chip and seal about a half mile of road at Jay County Fairgrounds. The county will pay for the emulsion (about $13,000), with Jay County Fair Board to cover the cost of stone. Aker noted the fairgrounds are county property.
•Approved a 60-month contract with phone service provider SpectrumVoIP for Jay Emergency Medical Service. Director John McFarland noted the company works through the internet, allowing supervisors to receive messages instantly when not at the Portland or Dunkirk base. The contract includes six phone lines at a cost of $172.14 per month.
•Learned the dust mat program through Jay County Highway Department has been delayed until the end of June or early July because of a delay in receiving supplies. Highway superintendent Eric Butcher noted there are 75 county residents signed up for the program, which will cover approximately 3,800 feet this year.
•Approved an agreement for LifeStream Services to purchase four buses at $458,456. The cost is covered through a state grant.
•Gave permission to Jay County Sheriff’s Office to sell six shotguns and one rifle.
•Appointed Shannon Current as Jay School Corporation’s non-voting representative on Jay County Redevelopment Commission.
•OK’d an overnight trip for two Jay County Health Department employees to visit a nurses conference June 28 and June 29 in Carmel.
•Paid claims, including a $150,006 quarterly claim for LifeStream Services — part of the cost is covered by a grant through Indiana Department of Transportation — a new mini van for LifeStream Services at $44,805, a total of $5,850.23 in claims to Gordon Food Service for meals at Jay County Jail and $881.40 to Indiana Bond Bank for its fuel budget program.
•Tabled a funding request from Steve Craig for new pickleball courts in Portland. (The project has been funded through donations and was approved at a Portland Park Board meeting last week
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