Dunkirk pool funds get OK

Dunkirk City Pool may be getting repairs next year.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to use $84,647.30 in American Rescue Plan funds for a new liner, two lifeguard stations and grates for the city pool. The decision is pending Jay County Council approval.

“It’s used by a large portion of the west side of the county,” said commissioner Brian McGalliard, who suggested the contribution. He initially proposed the idea at an August meeting after hearing from Dunkirk city officials. Auditor Anna Culy and McGalliard believe it will be covered under the American Rescue Plan’s guidelines.

American Rescue Plan monies can be used for initiatives related to or impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, such as revenue recovery, infrastructure, regional collaboration, public facilities, schools, transportation, economic development and individual, business and not-for-profit assistance.

County officials have been discussing how to spend the federal dollars since June. Their priorities so far include affordable housing, daycare, cybersecurity, broadband, ventilation or repair projects at county buildings and local businesses. (One suggested option of upgrades to radios for Jay Emergency Medical Service and local law enforcement does not qualify under federal guidelines.)

Commissioner Rex Journay noted Dunkirk’s pool repairs would be the first usage of Jay’s $3.9 million cut from the American Rescue Plan.

“Yes, and it’s a smaller amount, so we kind of get our feet wet,” McGalliard said.

Commissioners then unanimously approved using part of the monies for pool repairs in the spring.

Also Monday, commissioners heard from Gary Barnett and John McFarland of Jay Emergency Medical Service that responders are up to more than 2,400 ambulance runs so far this year. Barnett noted that’s a record number for JEMS.

“If we continue this pace, we’ll be over 3,000,” McFarland said.

Issues with billing company Accumed have also presented problems for JEMS recently, with payments from the company delayed by two or three months. McFarland said it has blamed JEMS for not receiving information within the 48-hour timeframe, but he noted everything seems to be in order on the county’s end.

“I’m really confused, I don’t know what the truth is,” McFarland said.

Culy added that if issues with Accumed aren’t solved soon, the county may have future revenue problems.

“It’s not the EMS’ fault,” Culy repeated. “It could be an Accumed revenue stream problem. If we have to move revenue out of rainy day, it is not the EMS’ fault.”

The county’s contract with Accumed expires March 31.

Commissioners also asked Core Facilities Inc. president Matthew Stechly to inspect Jay County Jail and Jay County Country Living (formerly Jay County Retirement Center) for any necessary updates or repairs to both facilities.

In other news, commissioners Chad Aker, McGalliard and Journay:

•Were reminded of the Cruis’n the HoliJay Lights at the Fairgrounds event beginning Nov. 19 and continuing through Dec. 26. Debi Gillespie of Jay County Fair Board said the drive-thru light show will begin at the front gate and exit behind the 4-H building.

•Learned about a $1 million, three-year grant offered through the Consortium for Opioid Response and Engagement — East Central Indiana for Blackford and Jay counties. The program aims to tackle the opioid pandemic by “strengthening and expanding substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services” in Blackford and Jay counties, according to its fact sheet. Strategy lead Melanie Cline noted the group hopes to hold a collaboration event in the next few weeks.

•Heard from Dunkirk resident Jerry Leach about the proposed Rose Gold Solar facility on approximately 1,340 acres in the southwestern part of the county. Leach said his 19-acre woods will be surrounded by solar panels — two sides of the area around his property is registered to Rodgers Farms — and shared concerns about the panels heating up the air and harming his woods.

•Decided to request reports from Midwest Pet Refuge and Jay County Humane Society for their animal control services. (Commissioners also agreed to hold off paying a $5,500 claim for Midwest’s services.)

•Approved the purchase of a new mower for the county highway department. Insurance will cover about $26,000 of the cost, with the county expected to pay a $5,000 deductible. Commissioners also OK’d seeking bids for two new dump trucks, which will not be purchased until 2022.

•Acting as the county drainage board, agreed Oakland Gaerke from Clear Choice Chiropractic does not need a retention pond for his new Portland facility planned just east of Midwest Pet Refuge with a driveway connecting to Charles Street.

•Signed the Jay County Health Department’s preparedness coordinator contract. (The state-reviewed agreement for public health coordinator Amy Blakely returned to local officials last week.)

•Agreed to draft an ordinance for placing a 30 mph speed sign for county road 200 West between Tyson Road and county road 75 South.

•Selected a bid of about $8,000 from Don Myers Plumbing & Heating of Berne for a new air conditioning unit at Jay County Sheriff’s Office.

•Paid several claims, including $8,750 for an audit through Tax Management Associates and $980 in attorney fees.

•OK’d a $1,200 purchase for maintenance of 10 garage doors at Dunkirk’s EMS base.

•Reappointed Diana Smith to Jay County Health Board.