Contracts inked for rehab program

More owner-occupied rehabilitation program construction projects could begin soon.

Jay County Commissioners signed contracts Monday with contractors and homeowners involved in the $1 million project intended to help local residents pay for home improvements.

They also heard about a few grant opportunities. 

Jay County received an Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant for taking part in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) planning process for federal coronavirus relief dollars. The owner-occupied rehabilitation program was created using those funds. Proposed work may include roof, water heater or heating ventilation and air conditioning unit replacements, electrical work or upgrades to make a home more accessible. Projects are limited to $25,000 per household.

Nearly a year ago, in May and June 2024, the county accepted applications for the program and received more than 100 submissions.

Jodi Golden of engineering company Egis of Indianapolis — the firm inspects each home proposed for the project — shared contracts Monday.

They were from Dave’s Heating and Cooling of Portland (six projects for a total $49,495), Mustard Seed Remodeling of Portland (four projects for a total $67,427.75), Fortitude Design and Consulting of Evansville (two projects for a total $29,000) and Air Xray of New Haven (two projects for a total $8,200).

The representative said after reviewing bids, 10 of the 23 properties received bids meeting the criteria. Egis proposed accepting 14 bids totaling $154,122.75. 

Golden asked commissioners to sign contracts with the companies, as well as contracts with each of the homeowners participating in the program. Once work is completed, next steps would include sending an inspector to homes.

Commissioners agreed to sign the contracts.

Also Monday, Jay County community coordinator Darlesia Lee and East Central Indiana Regional Planning District community development planner Matthew Nichols shared information about the Safe Streets and Roads For All federal grant.

Nichols explained the grant program came about through the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, allotting $5 billion in appropriated funds between 2022 and 2026. It’s intended to fund initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries, with almost $2 billion remaining for regional, local or tribal entities.

Nichols noted East Central Indiana Regional Planning District has already received funds for planning through the grant. (According to its website, it was awarded $400,000 to benefit Delaware, Grant, Blackford and Jay counties.) He shared plans to create a region-wide action plan across the four counties, highlighting top safety projects to complete. Nichols said the planning district then aims to go after additional grant funding to pay for those projects.

He shared hopes for Jay County to get involved with a region steering committee, asking for three to four representatives. Commissioners president Chad Aker agreed to serve on the committee and suggested Nichols and Lee reach out to Jay County Sheriff’s Office, Jay Emergency Medical Service and Portland Police Department for additional representation.

Commissioners were also reminded by Lee and Autumn Marshall of East Central Indiana Regional Planning District about the digital equity capacity grant through Indiana Broadband Office. 

The grant is intended to fund programs promoting internet adoption and availability in Indiana communities, according to its website.

Lee noted Jay County Public Library has created a survey to weigh the community’s needs on the matter. Commissioners agreed to sign a letter of support for the grant application.

In other business, commissioners:

•Heard concerns from residents Bob Lyons and Greg Miller about pending legislation regarding energy facilities. Lyons shared worries about commissioners considering a moratorium on battery storage facilities and solar farms, as well as restrictive ordinances for such facilities in Jay County. He asked them to listen to experts in the field before making a decision. Lyons and Miller also voiced opposition to setting up tax increment financing (TIF) districts around solar farms, with Lyons saying it takes money away from the school corporation and Miller saying the residents living in the same area as solar farms should see the benefit on their taxes.

•Approved the following: paying $9,885 for an updated wireless “panic” system at Jay County Jail; purchasing discounted stone material for roads from US Aggregates at a cost of $8 per ton, a $4.50 per ton savings from the current rate; a farming bid with Chris Muhlenkamp for the county’s 68 acres on the west edge of Portland at $420 per acre; and buying a $5,900 Ricoh copier for Jay County Health Department.

•Gave permission to the highway department to purchase a new truck chassis — estimated at $141,000 — later this year utilizing dollars from the 2026 budget. Dan Stocker of Stoops Freightliner in New Haven talked about the state of the current commercial vehicle market, noting significant price increases looming in the future because of a potential steel tariff and stricter emissions requirements through Environmental Protection Agency. 

•Heard a request from Jay County Country Living advisory board president Cindy Bracy to sell the facility’s farming equipment. Commissioners asked Bracy to send them a list of the items, with plans to potentially offer them at an auction this spring along with other county department items and equipment. 

•OK’d Jay County Health Department to apply for an annual immunization grant estimated at $4,467.68 and Jay County Community Corrections to apply for its annual funding grant through the state.

•Heard Jay Emergency Medical Service’s financial breakdown for February from director Gary Barnett. The department had $162,450.62 in expenses and $68,062.86 in income.

•Gave permission to open Jay County Courthouse from 1 to 5 p.m. May 17 for  restroom usage during the Arch Bridge Kroozers Car Club event.

•Paid claims, including $264,626 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to Motorola for new body and vehicle cameras at Jay County Sheriff’s Office and $11,186.55 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to US Aggregates for highway bridge repairs.