Funds OK’d for new animal facility

The county has approved its contribution toward animal control.

Now municipalities are left to weigh in on the funding.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to provide 25%, up to a maximum of $275,000, toward a new Jay County Humane Society building.

Also Monday, commissioners approved an amendment to Jay County Hospital’s integration agreement with IU Health (see related story).

The decision to provide funding for a new animal control shelter comes after Jay County Economic Development Income Tax Advisory Committee recommended earlier this month commissioners contribute that amount from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm economic development funds.

Travis Richards, Jay County Community Development executive director, presented the recommendation to commissioners Monday.

Commissioner Chad Aker suggested tabling the conversation for January when commissioners-elect Rex Journay and Brian McGalliard could weigh in. Both were present at the meeting. (Monday marked the final regular meeting in office for outgoing commissioners Mike Leonhard and Chuck Huffman.) Aker also mentioned the recently built Blackford County Animal Shelter and its comparatively lower construction cost — about $400,000. He wondered aloud why Jay couldn’t do something similar.

Julie Forcum, animal control task force chair, said much of the labor toward that project was donated.

Aker continued to question why the Jay structure needs more than Blackford.

Forcum explained there were additions — such as separate heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for dogs, cats and humans — that the Blackford project developers did not include.

Commissioner Mike Leonhard asked if architects for the humane society building had provided blueprints.

“Well what are they doing — pulling these figures out of air?” Leonhard questioned.

Like in past meetings, he suggested the task force build a pole barn with a heated floor.

Domestic animal care is different from livestock care, Forcum said. She added the figures are estimated from a few different architects.

Commissioner Chuck Huffman pointed out in order for blueprints to be made, the task force needs to be able to pay for them. The task force also will be applying for a Portland Foundation grant, and applicants will be asked what kind of support they have already received, Forcum said.

Aker expressed worry the project may be over the top or come at a hefty cost to the county.

“We don’t need a Taj-Mahal type of facility,” Aker said in a phone interview after the meeting. “I just don’t want the county footing the bill for everything… I want to keep it realistic so it’s not too extravagant but fitting the needs for what we need it for.”

Huffman suggested providing about a quarter of the funds, up to a limit of $275,000 toward the project, noting that does not include annual operating expenses. He also clarified with county attorney Bill Hinkle that incoming commissioners can change that decision, if needed.

Commissioners then unanimously approved the funding.

Leonhard, Huffman and Aker also heard from retirement center director Hope Confer. They approved a new resident and asked for an update about an evicted resident. Several meetings ago, commissioners agreed to give one resident an eviction notice after repeated incidents. He has yet to leave the premise despite the Dec. 1 eviction date, said Confer. Commissioners approved taking all action necessary to have the resident removed.

Confer said the department will be using the new reverse osmosis water filter as soon as it receives a permit for its usage, as required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

In other news, commissioners:

•Gave the OK for Jay County Health Department to pursue a $40,000 grant for administering vaccines, which will mainly be used for department salaries.

•Appointed Christina Schemenaur to Jay County Board of Health and Tabby Sprunger to Jay County Library Board.

•Heard from county surveyor Brad Daniels that one of the 2009 trucks hit black ice, causing about $5,000 in damage to its exterior. The insurance will provide about $4,000 for the incident, he said, and the vehicle would trade in for about $2,000. Commissioners asked Daniels to look into purchasing a new truck for review at the next meeting.

•Accepted all 2021 stone quotes for Jay County Highway Department.

•Heard a monthly update from Jay Emergency Medical Service directors Gary Barnett and Wesley Miller. Commissioners agreed to give JEMS a county credit card to use for purchasing Google Workspace.

•Approved a $3,000 annual U.S. Department of Justice grant for training and equipment for investigations.