City agrees to $$ for JCDC

Jay County Development Corporation will be getting some much-needed financial support from the City of Portland.

During its first meeting of 2025 on Monday, Portland City Council agreed to pay its $50,000 allocation to JCDC in two payments — one in January and the other in July.

The issue was on the city council agenda again at the request of council member Dave Golden, who spoke in support of providing the funding to help JCDC operate and to support its search for a new executive director.

“The vast majority of JCDC funding comes from the commissioners. … And last year, JCDC received zero from the commissioners,” said Golden. “JCDC’s looking for a director and I feel like the inaction of the commissioners has kind of forced our hands. 

“And I don’t want the incoming director to say, ‘Where’s the financial support from the county, from the cities?’ I would like to see us take the lead on this and hopefully the new commissioners will follow suit.”

The county, which provides the bulk of JCDC’s funding, did not make any payments to the organization in 2024 as the sides were not able to reach a contract agreement.

Council member Matt Goldsworthy offered support for Golden’s suggestion of paying out half of the funds in January and the other half in July.

Answering a question from council member Ron May, clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips said the payment to JCDC has traditionally been made in full in July.

JCDC board president Angela Paxson explained that the organization currently only has enough funding to get through February. She said her plan is to visit Jay County Commissioners’ meeting on Jan. 27 to talk about funding.

“We can’t effectively hire a new director until we have some committed funding,” she said, noting that requests for assistance with grants, loans and other issues continue to come in to the office.

Previous executive director Travis Richards resigned in November but is continuing to assist JCDC on a part-time basis.

“Once we meet with the commissioners and hopefully get a commitment, we’ll have a better idea of our timeline,” she added later.

Council member Ashley Hilfiker asked about what would happen if commissioners do not provide funding. Paxson said the organization would have to postpone searching for an executive director and would not have funding to pay current staff.

Hilfiker expressed her feeling that with the city doing its part, others need to step up.

“I really feel that we can start in the right direction — it’s a new year — start on the right foot with our commissioners,” said Paxson. “And that’s my plan. And I hope and I really do feel like that’s their goal too.”

May expressed his feeling that commissioners would be on board to support the organization. Paxson noted that her conversations with all three commissioners — two are new this year — have been positive.

Mayor Jeff Westlake said he’s supportive of providing the funding, with McClung adding that he wants to make sure JCDC stays afloat.

Council members Michele Brewster, Mike Aker, McClung, Goldsworthy, Golden, Hilfiker and May voted unanimously in favor of providing $25,000 to JCDC this month with the second payment to come in July.

Commenting later in the meeting, Golden referenced information provided to him from JCDC that shows a return on investment of 1,412%.

“You are providing a fabulous service to our city,” he said.

In other business, council:

•Was informed by the mayor following a question from Brewster that the new traffic lights along Meridian Street in the downtown area are now expected to be in place in mid-February. The mayor also expressed some skepticism, as the end date for the project has continued to move. It was originally expected to be complete in November.

•Heard May ask his fellow council members to get feedback from the public regarding a proposed “social park” at the former site of the Bailey Building at the southwest corner of Main and Commerce streets in Portland. He said his preference would be to see the property, which is currently owned by the city, be sold so it can return to the tax rolls.

•Re-elected McClung as its president.

•Heard McClung comment on a proposal from a state legislator for the elimination of local property taxes in favor of implementing a sales tax on services. He said he is against the proposal, expressing concern about how the sales tax money would be distributed back to the towns, cities, schools and libraries. “My fear is, if we eliminate the property tax, we might be at the beginning of eliminating municipal, local government,” he said.

•Learned from Phillips that there is $192,981.40 in city funds that were encumbered in 2024 that will be spent in 2025.

•Heard Goldsworthy urge for a “new year, new you” situation for the community to come together and work with each other. “Hopefully we can get started in a better direction for the whole county.”