Advisory committee recommends funds

A local group may be getting county funds after all.

Jay County Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) advisory committee recommended county officials allot $2,000 to Jay County Historical Society.

The group had been receiving the funds annually, having been allotted the amount in the previous five-year economic development plan. The plan was rescinded by Jay County Commissioners in February, and they’re currently working on a capital improvement plan to replace the old plan. (See related story.) Commissioners recently pushed the request to the EDIT advisory committee — all three commissioners sit on the board — for closer review.

Co-president Rob Weaver explained the county has contributed the same financial amount to the historical society for years.

“This has been a long-time support for the historical society from the commissioners for many, many years,” he said. “We’ve felt that it’s been in support of the historical society as being the caretaker of the county’s history, so to speak.”

He explained the group had been using the money for operations each year. He also pointed to support the group has given to the county, such as coordinating the centennial celebration at Jay County Courthouse at no cost. Weaver noted this was the first time they had presented a funding request to the EDIT advisory board.

Commissioner Chad Aker explained the county has been implementing a new funding application for organizations seeking money.

“We’re trying to do our due diligence and be more responsible with taxpayer dollars,” he said.

He referenced the group’s financial outlook, noting the historical society didn’t list any new projects on its application requesting funding.

“We saw the assets on here, total liabilities and equity in here, that’s where, to us, as commissioners, we thought, well, do you really need the $2,000?” Aker said.

Weaver and historical society member Claudia Jones noted potential projects such as driveway work and replacing carpet.

Commissioners Rex Journay and Aker advised Weaver and others in the historical society to highlight their planned projects on the application in the future.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard voiced support for the historical society but advocated for funding other organizations in the future. He said officials are trying to allocate the funding based on financial need.

“We only have ‘X’ amount of dollars, that’s my concern, if we keep contributing to the same people year after year after year after year, (if) somebody new’s trying to come along, there’s no money available really to do a lot,” he said.

Journay made a motion to recommend giving the organization $2,000 with the understanding that it should include its upcoming projects on its next application in 2024. He reminded them the county may also contribute to other organizations and that the historical society is not guaranteed funding in 2024 or years moving forward.

Jay County EDIT advisory committee then — absent Alicia Corwin, Greg Ellenberger, Erik Hammers, Jack Robbins and Dave Haines — recommended to give the organization the $2,000.