Jay will seek HELP

The county is seeking HELP.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to hold onto at least 30% of its American Rescue Plan monies, or about $1.3 million, for a year to match funding for a state program that could net the county an extra $1 million.

The Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) is a new funding opportunity through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. It stems from the former Stellar Communities Program –– the Jay! Region received $333,000 for being a finalist for the 2019 Stellar designation –– and aims to address the impact of COVID-19.

According to its website, HELP is a year-long process resulting in major planning for usage of Indiana communities’ American Rescue Plan monies. The program is rooted in four pathways: advancing e-connectivity, promoting community wellness, enhancing quality of place and strengthening local economies.

If Jay is selected, it may receive up to $1 million in matching funds toward a project or projects that align with state-approved usage of the monies given as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It would also receive state assistance with planning how to allocate its funds.

American Rescue Plan monies can be used for initiatives such as infrastructure, regional collaboration, public facilities, schools, economic development and individual and business assistance.

Some of the spending options for Jay’s $3.9 million cut were previously discussed by Jay County Council and commissioners. Those options include: building affordable housing and daycare, expanding broadband, contributing to local businesses, installing a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Jay County Jail, contributing toward a new radio system for emergency personnel or beefing up cybersecurity at county offices.

County auditor Anna Culy noted she has received word from Baker Tilly, the county’s advising agency on the matter, and some of those options are not acceptable under the plan’s spending guidelines. County officials will discuss details at their next joint session.

Jay County Development Corporation executive director Travis Richards suggested Monday that commissioners consider keeping entire $3.9 million allocated to Jay in American Rescue Plan funds for the HELP program. Commissioner Brian McGalliard disagreed to the idea of holding the entire amount for a year.

Richards noted the HELP process has a quick turn-around, with the first round in November and the second and third rounds selected in January.

Commissioners McGalliard, Chad Aker and Rex Journay then agreed to participate in the state program.

Also Monday, commissioners met Peggy Cenova of East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center. Cenova’s group receives half its budget each year from the federal government and half from local matching funds.

Cenova explained her program is funded by nine surrounding counties to contribute help for small businesses. Its services include one-on-one meetings with business owners, market research, financial diagnoses and benchmarking, business plan writing assistance, live workshops and strategic planning.

“We help businesses start, grow and flourish,” she said.

Jay County had not contributed to the organization for about five years, but had budgeted $2,000 toward East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center this year.

Cenova has been helping with the workshops for Launch Jay, a competition resembling “Shark Tank” for local entrepreneurs to seek funds for starting or expanding a business. So far, Richards added, about five businesses have been attending workshops for the event.

Richards advocated for the county’s continued support of with the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center. Journay also voiced his support.

“Oh, I totally agree with you,” he said. “From my living background, any kind of education that a new business can get would be very helpful. Especially if it’s not going to cost (them) anything.”

Commissioners later approved a $2,000 claim for the program.

Also, commissioners approved a reimbursement agreement between the county and new sheriff’s deputies. Each new officer attends Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for about 16 weeks.

The county covers those training costs and had not been requiring deputies in the last few years to reimburse those expenses if they subsequently leave the department. As stated in the new agreement, new deputies can either stay with the county for three years or pay back a portion of the training fees (based on longevity of service).

In other news, commissioners:

•Discussed re-enacting coronavirus sick leave. Last year, officials set sick leave for the virus at 80 hours. Officials made no decision at the meeting but may return to it later this month.

•Learned Jay County Solid Waste District will hold a free shred day from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 24 in the parking lot north of Jay County Courthouse.

•Recalled leases for the eastern barn and pasture and western farm ground near Jay County Country Living (formerly known as Jay County Retirement Center) are up at the end of the year.

•Heard from Culy that a free health screening for county employees is scheduled for Dec. 7 at Jay County Courthouse. Employees can choose to upgrade their package for a fee.

•Set the 2022 calendar for the year and excluded Juneteenth as a holiday for employees. (Commissioners cited the 11 already-designated holidays as their reason for not adding in June 19, the new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.)

•Read a report from county highway department supervisor Donnie Corn stating about 104 miles of chip and sealing were done this year. Each mile cost approximately $8,609.21.

•Heard from John Hemmelgarn, director of Jay/Portland Building and Planning, that he is looking into vacating a couple alleys near Pearl Street after receiving a request to purchase the lots around them.