County now set to buy property

It’s official. The county will be buying real estate.

Jay County Commissioners signed a purchase agreement Friday for about 68 acres of property along the western edge of Portland city limits Friday. County officials plan to use the space for a future housing project and to potentially add other facilities — ideas range from a multi-faceted public safety building to a recycling center.

Commissioners and Jay County Council adopted a resolution Feb. 8 to move forward with buying the land located along the north side of Indiana 67 just west of the future home of Jay County Humane Society. Council approved an ordinance allowing the purchase Wednesday on a 4-3 vote. (Three dissenting council members expressed concern with commissioners owning the title, which is standard for nearly all county purchases. Tensions between commissioners and Jay County Development Corporation have caused unease for some members of council and the public.)

The purchase agreement comes at a cost of $1.16 million, which will be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act funds. (Jay County has about $3.9 million, with the possibility of an additional $1 million tacked on for being a part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) through Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.)

The agreement also stipulates that current owners Christopher and Tracy Muhlenkamp will be allowed to farm the ground this year at no cost.

If the county hasn’t moved forward with a project or housing developer before next year, it may accept bids for farmers to utilize the fields in 2024.

A water and wastewater analysis on the property is currently being conducted by engineering consultant RQAW of Fishers. Officials don’t anticipate issues with utilities for a potential housing project, which would be completed by a housing developer some time in the future. (Council president Jeanne Houchins confirmed Wednesday a developer is interested in the space.) County officials have also discussed placing buildings for county offices on portions of the land, such as a new multi-faceted facility for Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Health Department and Jay County Coroner’s Office.

“We’ve got endless possibilities for development here,” said commissioner Chad Aker. “I think it’s a golden opportunity because this farm ground never comes open, it’s rare that it ever comes open that we can develop something. I think this is going to be huge for Jay County.”

Aker noted past discussions at council and commissioner meetings with RQAW and OCRA.

“They want to see gateways to communities — I think this is a perfect opportunity to have a gateway into our community,” he said.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard referenced the 2020 Vision plan put together by The Portland Foundation in 2010, which included the goal of creating shovel-ready building sites.

“This idea has been around for a couple decades, and we have, thank goodness, now the opportunity’s arose. We can capitalize on that,” he said. “Not often do you have a piece of farm ground actually within city limits that has city sewer, city water and (internet) cable availability … in my opinion, it was a no-brainer.”