Shifting to fiber

The courthouse may be upgrading to fiber.

Jay County Commissioners on Monday agreed to move forward in drafting a contract with Portland-based Community Fiber Solutions for fiber optic internet at Jay County Courthouse.

Fiber optic cables are made of long, thin strands of glass and transmit data through light pulses. At present, the courthouse uses a copper-based connection for internet through Comcast.

“Fiber doesn’t experience the interruptions and the interference that copper signals can,” said Community Fiber Solutions commercial account executive Doug Bieberick. “… it’s state of the art –– it’s the latest and greatest thing that’s out there.”

The agreed upon proposal, a five-year contract without a service agreement, will cost $269 a month. Commissioners can upgrade to higher speeds or add on a service agreement in the future if desired.

County auditor Anna Culy has mentioned at commissioner meetings the past few months that the current system is not fast enough for day-to-day processes. She added Monday that courthouse workers have issues doing video conference calls like Zoom. While the copper cables do have speedy download speeds, current upload speeds (used for actions like sending video) aren’t fast enough, Culy continued.

Earlier in the meeting, county recorder Betty St. Myers told commissioners her office does about 95% of its recording online now. (Before the coronavirus pandemic, it was only 30%).

Culy reminded commissioners of St. Myer’s comment along with the other courthouse offices in need of internet (such as Jay Circuit Court and Jay Superior Court).

Commissioners looked at a variety of options for fiber optic service from both Comcast and Community Fiber Solutions, with the latter coming in lower across the board.

Also Monday, commissioners heard an update from Jay County Development Corporation director Travis Richards. As he did at a JCDC meeting last week, Richards noted unemployment has returned to pre-pandemic levels but also mentioned the impending closure of Portland’s Coca-Cola facility in November.

He noted housing continues to be a need locally and beyond.

“We’ve made some progress with some other developers and other folks but haven’t gotten to a point where we’ve been able to get it across the bench line and get shovels in the ground yet, but I’m hopeful we’ll be able to do that pretty soon,” Richards said.

He also mentioned his organization is interviewing applicants for the director position of Jay County Community Development and hopes to have a decision made within a month.

Highway department superintendent Donnie Corn spoke with commissioners Monday as well to share updates. Commissioners approved his request to purchase a $8,000 hydraulic hose crimping machine purchase from NAPA Auto Parts. Corn explained the unit will help to repair trucks as needed when plowing in winter.

He added Indiana Department of Transportation had previously planned this year to remove and replace the steel bridge on Indiana 26 over the Salamonie River near Jay-Randolph Developmental Services this year, but it has pushed that project back to 2023. (Corn noted INDOT is still looking for a buyer to purchase and disassemble the bridge.)

Commissioners reviewed quotes with Corn for emulsion materials used in road repair and chose RS-2 from Marathon at $1.38 per gallon and AE-90S from Asphalt Materials Inc. at $1.66 per gallon.

They also gave Corn the OK to seek quotes for a new printer and fax machine for his department.

Commissioners also agreed to give $50,000 in economic development income tax (EDIT) funds to Jay County Fair Board for its Christmas light show that is planned to debut in November. (The fair board request now pends approval from Jay County Council, which meets Wednesday.)

Also Monday, commissioners:

•Discussed parking around the courthouse. County clerk Jon Eads noted Court Street has a sign designating the road as parking for elected officials only and asked if that rule was enforced. County attorney Bill Hinkle agreed to review legislation regarding ownership of the street for the next meeting.

•Appointed Kaleb Hemmelgarn to Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals. He will take the place of Dennis Rogers, who recently resigned.

•Signed a letter of opposition to Indiana State Senate Bill 303 at the request of POET Biorefining of Portland. Aker said the local business is opposed to the legislation, specifically the following (as written in a digest of the bill on the Indiana General Assembly 2021 session website): “Provides that a fuel dispenser from which a retail customer dispenses gasohol containing more than 10% and not more than 15% ethanol must display the statement, ‘Attention: E15. Check owner's manual for compatibility and warranty requirements.’ or a similar statement approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.” Aker said the business argued the requirement is redundant.

•Agreed to spend $15,027 on a data processor for Jay County Recorder’s Office.

•OK’d the highway department to spread stone on the Jay County Solid Waste Management District driveway.

•Approved a $3,012.76 bid from The Fire Store of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, for a Decon Shower System (Jay County Health Department plans to use the portable shower for decontamination, such as at a house formerly used for cooking methamphetamine or other drugs).

•OK’d a request from Sheriff Dwane Ford to purchase two water pumps for $3,738 for Jay County Jail using the facility’s budgeted maintenance funds.

•Paid $15,000 for a new server at Jay County Sheriff’s Office and $5,500 to both Midwest Pet Refuge and Jay County Humane Society for county animal control services.