December 16, 2020 at 5:42 p.m.
$275,000 recommended
Advisory committee suggests using funds from wind farm for animal control shelter
$275,000 recommended
A recommendation has been made for county animal shelter funding.
Now it’s up to Jay County Commissioners and the county’s municipalities to make their decisions.
Jay County Economic Development Income Tax Advisory Committee made a recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting to provide $275,000 from economic development funds from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm toward building or repurposing a county shelter for animal care and control. (Though those are not tax dollars, commissioners previously asked the EDIT advisory committee to weigh in on how they are allocated.)
The recommendation will go before commissioners at their next meeting. County municipalities will also be asked by the task force in coming months to commit funding for the project.
The Jay County Animal Control Task Force requested the amount from advisory committee members after commissioners told the task force on Nov. 23 to move forward with plans.
Task force members have developed several recommendations for future county animal control after two years of research. The most expensive recommendation — about $1.1 million before land expenses — involves constructing or repurposing a larger shelter for Jay County Humane Society.
Julie Forcum, animal control task force chair, explained a long-term animal control plan is needed now more than ever. She referenced current animal control officers Bill and Kathy Fields’ retirement starting in 2021. At present, there is no designated facility for all domesticated strays to go. Both the humane society and Midwest Pet Refuge have offered to share animal control needs temporarily.
Dean Jetter, the task force’s facilities chair, listed some goals for the new shelter. The task force suggested building a 5,000-square-foot facility in a more central Portland location. Assuming the necessary funds are raised, construction could begin by September 2021, and the building could be completed by mid to late 2022.
Forcum said the task force looked into renovating the former State of the Heart building on Votaw Street. It would cost about $449,000 to purchase the building and about $500,000 to renovate for shelter needs, she said. Another possibility would be the Jay School Corporation central office building at 1976 W. Tyson Road. Jay Schools’ administrative offices will move to the General Shanks building after the 2020-21 school year, after which the Tyson Road site could be put up for sale.
A new facility would help improve safety and meet standards for shelter environments. As of now, Jetter said, the human society building “does have a scary feel to it.”
“The present shelter is too small, in need of repair, and frankly, is a scary experience for anyone going to adopt an animal,” he said. “It also is not staffed to handle animal control on a long-term basis as it is now.”
In addition, Jetter said a more attractive, spacious and sanitary shelter will:
•attract residents from outside counties to adopt animals.
•help reduce the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs.
•bring revenue and customers to local animal businesses, such as veterinarians, groomers and pet supply stores.
•provide a place for students to volunteer and for jail inmates to work.
Jay County Humane Society board president Mindy Weaver mentioned the shelter could partner with Jay County Jail or even the John Jay Center for Learning for other community outreach opportunities.
If other municipal funding goal is not met, Jetter said the task force may need to request more funds from the county. Public fundraising campaigns look positive, though, he added, mentioning The Portland Foundation and private grants.
Commissioner Mike Leonhard expressed his doubts about the project. He asked if the task force had considered putting up a pole barn.
“I mean, you guys want the Cadillac, but you’re getting into everybody’s pockets,” he said. “You’ve got to use common sense here in Jay County. We’re not a real rich county.”
He stressed a pole barn would be a more affordable route.
“But we’re not talking about a Cadillac here,” Jetter responded.
He said if the task force could get the initial commitment, an architect would likely be willing to come and speak about construction capabilities. He mentioned architect Bob Taylor of Taylor Architects, Muncie, was not able to attend the meeting. (Taylor’s firm is also working on the current Arts Place renovation project.)
To put the price in perspective, Forcum named other communities and approximate costs for their shelters:
•Kokomo Humane Society — $2.38 million
•Huntington County Humane Society — $174,000 (expansion)
•South Bend Animal Control Shelter — $1.7 million
•Henry County Animal Control Shelter — $1.69 million and $700,000 (expansion)
•Bluffton Animal Shelter — $866,640
•Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control — $3.29 million
Redkey town council president Gary Gardner responded to those statistics.
“Every city that you mentioned a while ago is 10 times bigger than any place we got here,” he said.
Bryant town council president Gregg Ellenberger also voiced concern about sewage necessities and whether or not the county should invest in a non-county entity, which he said could halt operations at any point.
“Do you guys want to own it?” Weaver responded.
Ellenberger said yes, but commissioner Chuck Huffman quickly noted the county would prefer not to own it because of the liability issues and costs involved.
Other advisory board members worried about the project needing more money from the county later on.
“What if all the funding does not fall into place — are we coming to the county for another $275,000?” asked Jay County Council member Ted Champ.
Jetter said he does not anticipate a potential second request amount to be nearly as expensive.
Jay County Council member Gary Theurer suggested using wind farm funds for the other county municipalities’ portions toward the shelter. Advisory committee member Doug Loy pointed out that could amount to nearly a third of those funds spent on a single project.
Forcum expressed optimism about such a fundraising project, naming other community fundraising efforts for Portland Water Park, the Arts Place expansion and Jay County Public Library.
“The citizens joined together to build a new hospital 39 years ago, and we did it right,” she said. “The citizens joined together to build the John Jay Center for Learning. I believe that was a $4 million project? We did it right.”
She then formally asked the committee for $275,000 toward the shelter project.
“We are committed to doing it right,” Forcum said.
Champ said animal control is a county-wide problem, and he made a motion to recommend the $275,000 contribution. The committee unanimously approved that recommendation.
Huffman reported this morning that following the meeting commissioner Chad Aker agreed to convene a meeting involving representatives from each of the entities that might be involved in such a project. He said that meeting likely won’t happen until at least February.Forcum said the task force looked into renovating the former State of the Heart building on Votaw Street. It would cost about $449,000 to purchase the building and about $500,000 to renovate for shelter needs, she said. Another possibility would be the Jay School Corporation central office building at 1976 W. Tyson Road. Jay Schools’ administrative offices will move to the General Shanks building after the 2020-21 school year, after which the Tyson Road site could be put up for sale.
A new facility would help improve safety and meet standards for shelter environments. As of now, Jetter said, the human society building “does have a scary feel to it.”
“The present shelter is too small, in need of repair, and frankly, is a scary experience for anyone going to adopt an animal,” he said. “It also is not staffed to handle animal control on a long-term basis as it is now.”
In addition, Jetter said a more attractive, spacious and sanitary shelter will:
•attract residents from outside counties to adopt animals.
•help reduce the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs.
•bring revenue and customers to local animal businesses, such as veterinarians, groomers and pet supply stores.
•provide a place for students to volunteer and for jail inmates to work.
Jay County Humane Society board president Mindy Weaver mentioned the shelter could partner with Jay County Jail or even the John Jay Center for Learning for other community outreach opportunities.
If other municipal funding goal is not met, Jetter said the task force may need to request more funds from the county. Public fundraising campaigns look positive, though, he added, mentioning The Portland Foundation and private grants.
Commissioner Mike Leonhard expressed his doubts about the project. He asked if the task force had considered putting up a pole barn.
“I mean, you guys want the Cadillac, but you’re getting into everybody’s pockets,” he said. “You’ve got to use common sense here in Jay County. We’re not a real rich county.”
He stressed a pole barn would be a more affordable route.
“But we’re not talking about a Cadillac here,” Jetter responded.
He said if the task force could get the initial commitment, an architect would likely be willing to come and speak about construction capabilities. He mentioned architect Bob Taylor of Taylor Architects, Muncie, was not able to attend the meeting. (Taylor’s firm is also working on the current Arts Place renovation project.)
To put the price in perspective, Forcum named other communities and approximate costs for their shelters:
•Kokomo Humane Society — $2.38 million
•Huntington County Humane Society — $174,000 (expansion)
•South Bend Animal Control Shelter — $1.7 million
•Henry County Animal Control Shelter — $1.69 million and $700,000 (expansion)
•Bluffton Animal Shelter — $866,640
•Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control — $3.29 million
Redkey town council president Gary Gardner responded to those statistics.
“Every city that you mentioned a while ago is 10 times bigger than any place we got here,” he said.
Bryant town council president Gregg Ellenberger also voiced concern about sewage necessities and whether or not the county should invest in a non-county entity, which he said could halt operations at any point.
“Do you guys want to own it?” Weaver responded.
Ellenberger said yes, but commissioner Chuck Huffman quickly noted the county would prefer not to own it because of the liability issues and costs involved.
Other advisory board members worried about the project needing more money from the county later on.
“What if all the funding does not fall into place — are we coming to the county for another $275,000?” asked Jay County Council member Ted Champ.
Jetter said he does not anticipate a potential second request amount to be nearly as expensive.
Jay County Council member Gary Theurer suggested using wind farm funds for the other county municipalities’ portions toward the shelter. Advisory committee member Doug Loy pointed out that could amount to nearly a third of those funds spent on a single project.
Forcum expressed optimism about such a fundraising project, naming other community fundraising efforts for Portland Water Park, the Arts Place expansion and Jay County Public Library.
“The citizens joined together to build a new hospital 39 years ago, and we did it right,” she said. “The citizens joined together to build the John Jay Center for Learning. I believe that was a $4 million project? We did it right.”
She then formally asked the committee for $275,000 toward the shelter project.
“We are committed to doing it right,” Forcum said.
Champ said animal control is a county-wide problem, and he made a motion to recommend the $275,000 contribution. The committee unanimously approved that recommendation.
Huffman reported this morning that following the meeting commissioner Chad Aker agreed to convene a meeting involving representatives from each of the entities that might be involved in such a project. He said that meeting likely won’t happen until at least February.
Now it’s up to Jay County Commissioners and the county’s municipalities to make their decisions.
Jay County Economic Development Income Tax Advisory Committee made a recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting to provide $275,000 from economic development funds from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm toward building or repurposing a county shelter for animal care and control. (Though those are not tax dollars, commissioners previously asked the EDIT advisory committee to weigh in on how they are allocated.)
The recommendation will go before commissioners at their next meeting. County municipalities will also be asked by the task force in coming months to commit funding for the project.
The Jay County Animal Control Task Force requested the amount from advisory committee members after commissioners told the task force on Nov. 23 to move forward with plans.
Task force members have developed several recommendations for future county animal control after two years of research. The most expensive recommendation — about $1.1 million before land expenses — involves constructing or repurposing a larger shelter for Jay County Humane Society.
Julie Forcum, animal control task force chair, explained a long-term animal control plan is needed now more than ever. She referenced current animal control officers Bill and Kathy Fields’ retirement starting in 2021. At present, there is no designated facility for all domesticated strays to go. Both the humane society and Midwest Pet Refuge have offered to share animal control needs temporarily.
Dean Jetter, the task force’s facilities chair, listed some goals for the new shelter. The task force suggested building a 5,000-square-foot facility in a more central Portland location. Assuming the necessary funds are raised, construction could begin by September 2021, and the building could be completed by mid to late 2022.
Forcum said the task force looked into renovating the former State of the Heart building on Votaw Street. It would cost about $449,000 to purchase the building and about $500,000 to renovate for shelter needs, she said. Another possibility would be the Jay School Corporation central office building at 1976 W. Tyson Road. Jay Schools’ administrative offices will move to the General Shanks building after the 2020-21 school year, after which the Tyson Road site could be put up for sale.
A new facility would help improve safety and meet standards for shelter environments. As of now, Jetter said, the human society building “does have a scary feel to it.”
“The present shelter is too small, in need of repair, and frankly, is a scary experience for anyone going to adopt an animal,” he said. “It also is not staffed to handle animal control on a long-term basis as it is now.”
In addition, Jetter said a more attractive, spacious and sanitary shelter will:
•attract residents from outside counties to adopt animals.
•help reduce the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs.
•bring revenue and customers to local animal businesses, such as veterinarians, groomers and pet supply stores.
•provide a place for students to volunteer and for jail inmates to work.
Jay County Humane Society board president Mindy Weaver mentioned the shelter could partner with Jay County Jail or even the John Jay Center for Learning for other community outreach opportunities.
If other municipal funding goal is not met, Jetter said the task force may need to request more funds from the county. Public fundraising campaigns look positive, though, he added, mentioning The Portland Foundation and private grants.
Commissioner Mike Leonhard expressed his doubts about the project. He asked if the task force had considered putting up a pole barn.
“I mean, you guys want the Cadillac, but you’re getting into everybody’s pockets,” he said. “You’ve got to use common sense here in Jay County. We’re not a real rich county.”
He stressed a pole barn would be a more affordable route.
“But we’re not talking about a Cadillac here,” Jetter responded.
He said if the task force could get the initial commitment, an architect would likely be willing to come and speak about construction capabilities. He mentioned architect Bob Taylor of Taylor Architects, Muncie, was not able to attend the meeting. (Taylor’s firm is also working on the current Arts Place renovation project.)
To put the price in perspective, Forcum named other communities and approximate costs for their shelters:
•Kokomo Humane Society — $2.38 million
•Huntington County Humane Society — $174,000 (expansion)
•South Bend Animal Control Shelter — $1.7 million
•Henry County Animal Control Shelter — $1.69 million and $700,000 (expansion)
•Bluffton Animal Shelter — $866,640
•Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control — $3.29 million
Redkey town council president Gary Gardner responded to those statistics.
“Every city that you mentioned a while ago is 10 times bigger than any place we got here,” he said.
Bryant town council president Gregg Ellenberger also voiced concern about sewage necessities and whether or not the county should invest in a non-county entity, which he said could halt operations at any point.
“Do you guys want to own it?” Weaver responded.
Ellenberger said yes, but commissioner Chuck Huffman quickly noted the county would prefer not to own it because of the liability issues and costs involved.
Other advisory board members worried about the project needing more money from the county later on.
“What if all the funding does not fall into place — are we coming to the county for another $275,000?” asked Jay County Council member Ted Champ.
Jetter said he does not anticipate a potential second request amount to be nearly as expensive.
Jay County Council member Gary Theurer suggested using wind farm funds for the other county municipalities’ portions toward the shelter. Advisory committee member Doug Loy pointed out that could amount to nearly a third of those funds spent on a single project.
Forcum expressed optimism about such a fundraising project, naming other community fundraising efforts for Portland Water Park, the Arts Place expansion and Jay County Public Library.
“The citizens joined together to build a new hospital 39 years ago, and we did it right,” she said. “The citizens joined together to build the John Jay Center for Learning. I believe that was a $4 million project? We did it right.”
She then formally asked the committee for $275,000 toward the shelter project.
“We are committed to doing it right,” Forcum said.
Champ said animal control is a county-wide problem, and he made a motion to recommend the $275,000 contribution. The committee unanimously approved that recommendation.
Huffman reported this morning that following the meeting commissioner Chad Aker agreed to convene a meeting involving representatives from each of the entities that might be involved in such a project. He said that meeting likely won’t happen until at least February.Forcum said the task force looked into renovating the former State of the Heart building on Votaw Street. It would cost about $449,000 to purchase the building and about $500,000 to renovate for shelter needs, she said. Another possibility would be the Jay School Corporation central office building at 1976 W. Tyson Road. Jay Schools’ administrative offices will move to the General Shanks building after the 2020-21 school year, after which the Tyson Road site could be put up for sale.
A new facility would help improve safety and meet standards for shelter environments. As of now, Jetter said, the human society building “does have a scary feel to it.”
“The present shelter is too small, in need of repair, and frankly, is a scary experience for anyone going to adopt an animal,” he said. “It also is not staffed to handle animal control on a long-term basis as it is now.”
In addition, Jetter said a more attractive, spacious and sanitary shelter will:
•attract residents from outside counties to adopt animals.
•help reduce the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs.
•bring revenue and customers to local animal businesses, such as veterinarians, groomers and pet supply stores.
•provide a place for students to volunteer and for jail inmates to work.
Jay County Humane Society board president Mindy Weaver mentioned the shelter could partner with Jay County Jail or even the John Jay Center for Learning for other community outreach opportunities.
If other municipal funding goal is not met, Jetter said the task force may need to request more funds from the county. Public fundraising campaigns look positive, though, he added, mentioning The Portland Foundation and private grants.
Commissioner Mike Leonhard expressed his doubts about the project. He asked if the task force had considered putting up a pole barn.
“I mean, you guys want the Cadillac, but you’re getting into everybody’s pockets,” he said. “You’ve got to use common sense here in Jay County. We’re not a real rich county.”
He stressed a pole barn would be a more affordable route.
“But we’re not talking about a Cadillac here,” Jetter responded.
He said if the task force could get the initial commitment, an architect would likely be willing to come and speak about construction capabilities. He mentioned architect Bob Taylor of Taylor Architects, Muncie, was not able to attend the meeting. (Taylor’s firm is also working on the current Arts Place renovation project.)
To put the price in perspective, Forcum named other communities and approximate costs for their shelters:
•Kokomo Humane Society — $2.38 million
•Huntington County Humane Society — $174,000 (expansion)
•South Bend Animal Control Shelter — $1.7 million
•Henry County Animal Control Shelter — $1.69 million and $700,000 (expansion)
•Bluffton Animal Shelter — $866,640
•Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control — $3.29 million
Redkey town council president Gary Gardner responded to those statistics.
“Every city that you mentioned a while ago is 10 times bigger than any place we got here,” he said.
Bryant town council president Gregg Ellenberger also voiced concern about sewage necessities and whether or not the county should invest in a non-county entity, which he said could halt operations at any point.
“Do you guys want to own it?” Weaver responded.
Ellenberger said yes, but commissioner Chuck Huffman quickly noted the county would prefer not to own it because of the liability issues and costs involved.
Other advisory board members worried about the project needing more money from the county later on.
“What if all the funding does not fall into place — are we coming to the county for another $275,000?” asked Jay County Council member Ted Champ.
Jetter said he does not anticipate a potential second request amount to be nearly as expensive.
Jay County Council member Gary Theurer suggested using wind farm funds for the other county municipalities’ portions toward the shelter. Advisory committee member Doug Loy pointed out that could amount to nearly a third of those funds spent on a single project.
Forcum expressed optimism about such a fundraising project, naming other community fundraising efforts for Portland Water Park, the Arts Place expansion and Jay County Public Library.
“The citizens joined together to build a new hospital 39 years ago, and we did it right,” she said. “The citizens joined together to build the John Jay Center for Learning. I believe that was a $4 million project? We did it right.”
She then formally asked the committee for $275,000 toward the shelter project.
“We are committed to doing it right,” Forcum said.
Champ said animal control is a county-wide problem, and he made a motion to recommend the $275,000 contribution. The committee unanimously approved that recommendation.
Huffman reported this morning that following the meeting commissioner Chad Aker agreed to convene a meeting involving representatives from each of the entities that might be involved in such a project. He said that meeting likely won’t happen until at least February.
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