JCDC discusses contract, lease

Jay County Development Corporation spent most of its meeting Tuesday discussing the two issues that have dominated its agenda recently.

Board members in attendance agreed to call a special meeting within the next few weeks to address contract stipulations from Jay County Commissioners and to take action on a lease agreement with the City of Portland. The board could not take any votes because it did not have a quorum.

JCDC’s board again revisited the 13 negotiating points Jay County Commissioners presented in May. The bulk of the discussion involved commissioners' request that JCDC reduce its voting membership to between nine and 11 members, including the mayors or council presidents of Portland and Dunkirk, one county commissioner, one county council representative and representatives from Bryant, Redkey, Pennville and Salamonia, with the remaining voting members to be elected by the JCDC board and have term limits. (Additional non-voting members would be allowed.)

Board members opposed drastically reducing the board membership, though Chad Towell expressed a willingness to cut to 17 or 19 members. 

Ron Laux also noted that the board was intentionally developed as a non-governmental group. 

He, and others, expressed their feelings that it is important to have a wide variety of representation from utilities, schools, businesses, farming, industry and other sectors.

“The board is to reflect the community at large,” said longtime member Joe Johnston.

Board members also discussed a proposed rental agreement with the City of Portland for JCDC’s office space in Community Resource Center. JCDC executive director noted that a discrepancy regarding responsibility for furnace, air conditioning and other related repairs has been removed.

The contract still leaves JCDC with the responsibility for receiving bills for shared utilities and collecting payments from other tenants.

“Which is not really where we wanted to land but is where we’re still at,” said Richards.

While unable to take a formal vote, the board informally agreed to move forward with the contract at its next meeting.

Board member Mike Medler asked that JCDC be provided more notice before the next lease agreement discussion.

The board also briefly discussed a request from commissioners to meet with Bill Walters of East Central Indiana Regional Planning District as part of Walters working toward putting together a proposal for international development.

Board members discussed the situation, including how much information should be shared given that JCDC does not currently have a contract with the county. Some board members expressed concern that the commissioners will pursue entering a contract with the regional planning district for economic development in the county in direct competition with JCDC.

The board members advised Richards to attend the meeting to gauge what the opportunity is about but only share what information he is comfortable with given the circumstances.

In other business:

•Heard a reminder from Mary Adair of Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau regarding upcoming events. She noted Dunkirk’s Glass Days festival that is scheduled for Saturday on Commerce Street, Webster Depot Park and the American Legion property and the Tri-State Antique Engine and Tractor Show next week at Jay County Fairgrounds. She also noted that a new business is planned for the location at the southwest corner of Walnut and Commerce Streets in Portland that was previously the site of Yergy’s.