Talks continue

The animal control task force shared its reasoning for proposing a new facility at a price tag north of $1 million.

Commissioners hardly budged.

Other than approving $5,000 in economic development funds from the Bitter Ridge Wind Farm project to go toward a rendering for a new animal control facility, commissioners didn’t commit to any other funding for a new facility.

The trio — two of whom are new to the group as of this month — rescinded a motion Jan. 12 to provide up to $275,000 toward a new animal control facility in Jay County. (Commissioners Mike Leonhard, Chuck Huffman and Chad Aker pushed the motion through in December, the final meeting for both Leonhard and Huffman.)

On Monday, members of the animal control task force came forward in an attempt to regain commissioners’ support.

Task force chair Julie Forcum started by addressing comments made about the $1.14 million to $1.35 million price tag and the alternate proposal that a pole barn structure be used instead.

“We feel like you’ve asked us to do it right. That’s what we’re here to do,” Forcum said.

She explained that the group is not opposed to working with contractors that have built concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and barns, although many she’s talked with do not have experience in building animal control facilities.

Bill Carr of Grinsfelder Associates Architects, who has worked on several Indiana animal shelter projects, shared information about animal shelter standards.

The Association of Shelter Veterinarians published guidelines for standard animal shelter care in 2010, he explained, detailing what is and isn’t typically considered OK in the industry. Adhering to those guidelines, the Humane Society of the United States developed a range for animal shelter construction costs. New construction costs range between $210 and $254 per square foot, and renovation costs range between $192 and $258, according to Carr’s report.

Commissioners had questions about those figures, which they said seemed high, with Carr responding that much of the cost is because of recommended heating, ventilation and cooling systems.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard also asked if the guidelines were enforced, with Carr explaining they are not government regulations but rather industry standards.

Jay County Humane Society needs some kind of change, said board president Mindy Weaver. Its current facility is too small and it has been asked to find a new location so that the adjacent Portland wastewater treatment plant can expand in the next few years.

Weaver noted the importance of having a room to quarantine new animals so illnesses like the highly contagious canine parvovirus can be prevented from wiping the entire shelter population. Also, per Indiana mandate, starting July 1 all animal shelters must spay and neuter pets before adoption. Weaver also noted the humane society will remain a no-kill shelter and would not budge on that vow.

McGalliard asked task force members how much money the humane society has raised toward the project thus far and challenged whether the organization will be able to raise the estimated $110,000 needed for annual operations. Weaver responded that the organization has some investments, though they are not specific to the project, and that she’s optimistic about fundraising but estimated the amount raised for annual operating expenses at its current facility is $75,000.

Currently, Midwest Pet Refuge and the humane society are covering animal control for the county. Former animal control officers Bill and Kathy Fields retired at the end of 2020.

McGalliard suggested putting animal control services up for bid.

Aker noted the amounts the task force proposed that each municipality contribute toward annual operating expenses, adding that he does not feel anyone should be shut out.

“If those towns can’t pay, it’s not their fault,” he said. “We as a county want the whole county covered … you’ve got a town like Bryant or Pennville that can’t afford to pay it. I don’t think it’s right to say we’re not going to provide service (to them).”

Forcum agreed, adding that the county’s economic development income tax (EDIT) advisory committee discussed providing subsidies from wind farm economic development funds to each municipality.

Jay County Council member Matt Minnich, who was in attendance, said he would rather see the group take a loan from the county rather than ask for a gift. He also added that he didn’t feel comfortable putting government funds into a private entity.

All three commissioners raised concerns about the project.

“You can get nice houses at $175, $185 a square foot. What you’re proposing is a lot nicer facility than we put humans in,” Aker said.

“No one’s going to fund a building like that, I’m sorry,” said Journay, who then suggested contributing funds for a rendering of the new facility in order to get a more accurate cost estimate.

Commissioners then approved $5,000 for that purpose.

Also Monday, commissioners accepted new job descriptions and raises for highway superintendent Donnie Corn (from $53,476.80 to $61,006.40) and road foreman Dave Shepherd (from $40,664 to $44,824). Former county engineer Dan Watson resigned his position at the end of 2020, and Jay County Council approved at its last meeting to divvy up his responsibilities between Corn and Shepherd.

While at the meeting, Shepherd announced his resignation from the position, saying he has accepted a job out of state.

Commissioners also heard from Jay Emergency Medical Service directors Wes Miller, John McFarland and Gary Barnett. Miller presented an annual review from AccuMed Group, which helps provide information for optimizing revenue each year. Commissioners then enacted a new fee schedule in accordance with the recommendation of JEMS directors. (New suggested fees are based on state, federal and local insurance carrier fee schedules per the review, Miller explained.)

Commissioners also OK’d a county credit card application for JEMS and new emergency management agency director Amy Blakely with a card limit of $2,000, approved $4,955 for a new ventilator and $14,215.52 for a new LUCAS chest compression system for JEMS, and OK’d the purchase a $5,500 cot for JEMS.

In other news, commissioners Aker, Journay and McGalliard:

•Made more reappointments and new appointments, including: Aker as the board of finance president; Terry Hanks to the alcohol beverage commission; Mike Leonhard and Jane Spencer to the cemetery association; Shawn McCoy and Cindy Shepherd to the convention and tourism bureau board; Pam Robbins to Dunkirk Public Library Board; and Mike Leonhard, Barry Hudson, Carl Walker and Phil Ford to the redevelopment commission.

•Heard from county surveyor Brad Daniels that a truck was stolen from the highway department barn, along with keys to both of the other vehicles.

•Renewed the county investment policy. “I would say we won’t even make a quarter of what we did (last year),” Jay County treasurer Paula Miller said, explaining that rates are extremely low this year.

•Heard from courthouse superintendent Bruce Sutton about gathering quotes for six new boilers. The current boilers are nearly 20 years old, and out of eight, only four are working properly most of the time, he explained. He suggested downsizing to six units instead of eight.

•OK’d Sheriff Dwane Ford beginning the process to sell (through auction) three department vehicles.

•Accepted a bid from Enos Schwartz from Bryant for a one-year lease of the pasture west of the retirement center at $180 per acre.

•Presented a plaque to former animal control officers Bill and Kathy Fields. The couple provided services to the county and City of Portland for nearly 30 years.

•Approved a resolution to hold an in-person certificate sale in April in the courthouse auditorium.