Funds rescinded

Two weeks ago, commissioners approved funding for a new animal control facility. On Monday, the new group reversed that decision.

With two new officials in office, Jay County Commissioners rescinded the Dec. 28 approval of up to $275,000 toward a new animal control facility that would be owned and operated by Jay County Humane Society.

Jay County Animal Control Task Force — a committee created by commissioners in 2018 to come up with solution for long-term animal control in the county — proposed building a new facility for the humane society in November to serve as the main entity for housing stray animals. (The county previously contracted with Bill and Kathy Fields for animal control prior to their retirement last year. Midwest Pet Refuge operates locally as an independent organization mainly serving the cat population.)

Commissioners Chuck Huffman, Mike Leonhard and Aker voted unanimously at their last meeting of 2020 to fund a quarter of the project up to a maximum of $275,000 from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm economic development funds. The decision came after Jay County Economic Development Income Tax Advisory committee made a recommendation to do so.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard, who now represents the south district after Huffman chose not to seek re-election, on Monday proposed rescinding the funding commitment. He noted the task force only presented two building options at costs of $1.14 million and $1.35 million, respectively.

“As county commissioners, I think we have more options than just that,” McGalliard said.

Over the next 10 years, he estimated, the total cost for the project and its annual budget will be around $3.7 million. The plan requires Jay municipalities to contribute toward its cost, and some don’t have the money, he added. (Pennville Town Council rejected the funding proposal Jan. 5, and Redkey Town Council tabled discussion in December.)

Reviewing three possible paths forward, McGalliard recommended rescinding the funding commitment and reconsidering after all of the county’s government entities could weigh in on the project and find common ground.

“I’m not against animal control whatsoever,” he said. “… I just think maybe we need to reign this in a bit.”

Commissioner Rex Journay, who now represents the north district after defeating Leonhard in last year’s Republican primary, added one of his concerns is that the proposed budget and present budget don’t align. Roughly $750 is needed per animal at the humane society, compared to about $157 per animal at Midwest Pet Refuge and about $125 per animal at the Fields’ facility, he said.

McGalliard noted the humane society is a no-kill shelter, and Aker said some animals have been there for years without success in finding a new home.

“It’s hard to place them all, I understand that, but you’ve got to have alternates,” Jay County resident Virginia Burkey said during the discussion.

Portland’s wastewater treatment plant, which is adjacent to the current humane society facility, will also be expanding in the next few years and needs the humane society to move locations in order to do so. (There is no specific deadline yet, county attorney Bill Hinkle said. The year 2022 was cited as a potential deadline at a Jay County Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Advisory Committee meeting in December.)

Commissioners voted unanimously to rescind the funding commitment.

County auditor Anna Culy also asked for guidance regarding whether or not she should continue looking into switching the county to virtual time clocks. Commissioners debated the subject at the last meeting. Time clocks can be beneficial for ease of access, she explained.

“For me, my office is smaller, but it will still help,” she said. “For the EMS department, it would possibly be lifesaving, in terms of how much time they have to spend.”

Commissioners agreed it should be left up to county department heads whether or not to make the switch.

Also, commissioners elected Aker as president and McGalliard as vice president of the group. They made several board and county appointments, including:

•Journay as president and Aker as vice president of the drainage board

•McGalliard and county council member Matt Minnich to the Jay County Regional Sewer District board

•Tom Laux, Steve Ford, Minnich and Aker to Jay County Plan Commission

•Jim Bruner to the Community and Family Services board

•Culy to the EDIT advisory committee

Jay County Health Department environmentalist and administrator Heath Butz reminded commissioners its coronavirus vaccination clinic begins today. Hoosiers 80 and older who have registered online will be asked to fill out paperwork before getting their shot and waiting 15 minutes after before leaving. He asked if the health department would be allowed to use the courthouse auditorium in the event it would need more space for the clinic, and commissioners agreed to keep the space available.

Aker asked Butz how the county is doing in respect to weekly coronavirus updates. Butz said it’s likely Jay will stay in the orange category. The vaccine is like a “light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

“But we still (have) got to get there, so it’s important that we keep doing those masking, social distancing (practices),” he said to commissioners, none of whom were wearing masks but were socially distanced.

In other news, commissioners:

•Approved the following: Purchasing a $27,100 Dodge Ram 2,500 from Fuqua Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Dunkirk for the county surveyor’s office; Amy Blakely as the new Jay County Emergency Management Agency director; and about $19,583 in claims (including a loan payment for $10,236 and two claims for courthouse cameras for $6,691 and $1,412)

•Asked county surveyor Brad Daniels to get quotes for a new stainless steel salt spreader.