Extension OK’d

Another solar farm’s construction has been delayed.

Jay County Council approved an amendment to an economic development agreement  and tax abatement Wednesday with Hodson Energy, adding a one-year extension to construction plans for New Jay Solar.

Hodson Energy is one of four renewable energy companies planning solar farms in Jay County. It’s also the last of the current roster to seek a timeline change, with the county approving amendments on construction dates for solar facilities with Invenergy, Leeward Renewable Energy and Scout Clean Energy in 2024.

Hodson Energy is planning a 311-acre farm in Richland Township, just east of Dunkirk. The company plans to invest around $67.5 million into the farm, which is expected to produce up to 39 megawatts of energy and employ one to two full-time solar technicians on site.

Hodson Energy signed economic development, road use and decommissioning agreements with the county as well as a development plan and 10-year tax abatement last year. (The company will have 100% of property taxes abated over the entire 10-year period, saving it $4.4 million in property taxes.) The economic development agreement stipulates Hodson Energy will provide $2.516 million to Jay County over four years.

The company’s original timeline as approved on county agreements set construction to begin no later than June 30, 2026, with the facility to begin generating electricity by Dec. 31, 2027. That timeline has now shifted, with a completion date no later than Dec. 31, 2028.

Kyle West, chief development officer of Hodson Energy, explained there are a couple reasons for the amendments. He pointed to new requirements through regional transmission organization PJM interconnection surrounding procurement of major equipment and sourcing of that equipment.

“Global supply chains are not what they were when we first set those dates,” he explained. “We still very much will be building the project, going full speed ahead, development is essentially done. It’s really just about the timing of getting the major equipment on site.”

Attorney Maura Hoff of DeFur Voran, Muncie, shared a few minor adjustments made with the amendments, with county attorney Wes Schemenaur noting the main differences are the timeline change and payment structure. (Like other amended agreements with solar companies, Hodson Energy will make its first economic development payment to the county at the start of construction.)

Council president Matt Minnich questioned if changes at the federal level will impact Hodson Energy’s project in Jay County. West said New Jay Solar is far along enough in the process that it will qualify for construction.

Council then approved the amended agreement and abatement.

Also Wednesday, council OK’d moving --forward with information technology service provider LEAP Managed IT. 

Jay County officials formed a cybersecurity task force in the fall to assess cybersecurity risks, plan for incidents and provide recommendations for county cybersecurity and information technology issues. Recently, longtime information technology provider Randy Cleaver announced he will retire at the end of the year.

The task force reviewed presentations from LEAP Managed IT, Perry Pro Tech and Allstar Technologies for information technology support services. According to a prepared statement from task force member and Jay County Emergency Management Agency director Samantha Rhodehamel — she was undergoing a training session during the meeting but arrived later — task force members recommended a fully managed service with LEAP Managed IT along with a co-managed option for Jay County Security Center, which will keep working with current information technology provider Cameron Clark.

The fully managed option, she said in the statement, would prevent a lapse in support if an employee leaves, would allow the company to report directly to Jay County Commissioners and council, will grant equal access to information technology support and will help comply with new state cybersecurity rules going into effect in the future.

The company will begin transitioning to become the county’s information technology provider role Sept. 1. 

The cost is estimated at $14,391.10 per month and, as it has in the past, will come out of the commissioners’ budget.

Council agreed to move forward with the task force’s recommendation.

Also, council agreed to host a joint session with Jay County Commissioners and Jay County Country Living Advisory Board at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13. County officials plan to discuss the future of Jay County Country Living (formerly known as Jay County Retirement Center), with its advisory board having recently recommended the county close the facility. 

Commissioners tabled a decision June 30 on whether to close Jay County Country Living and said they would like to hear council members’ perspectives first.

In other business, council members Matt Minnich, Michael Brewster, Harold Towell, Randy May, Faron Parr, Bryan Alexander and Cindy Bracy:

•Approved the following: amending the salary ordinance, adjusting Jay County Health Department’s immunization clerk position — the former clerk recently moved to a different job in the department, leaving the position vacant — to a part-time role, with health department administrator Heath Butz noting large cuts to the department’s state funding moving forward; and keeping the local income tax rate the same for next year. 

•Heard a quarterly update from Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales, who noted it’s been three months since she started in the role. Bales shared a variety of statistics. Jay County’s unemployment rate has averaged about 3% since at least March, saying it reflects a stable labor market and steady workforce participation. Among other notes, Bales pointed out the county’s current early learning facilities encompass just under 30% of the child care capacity needs in Jay County. 

•Reviewed budget proposals from department heads and other data gathered by Franks regarding the 2026 budget. Alexander voiced concerns, saying he wouldn’t feel comfortable approving a budget with a deficit as it currently stands. Franks suggested council members think about their funding priorities over the next month.

•Heard concerns from George McGinnis of Jay County Solid Waste Management District regarding illegal dumping at recycling trailers across the county. McGinnis pointed to the county ordinance approved in 2022 setting fines for violations and noted issues continue. Schemenaur suggested McGinnis purchase trail cameras to set up around the dumpster located next to Jay County Sheriff’s Office. When a violation occurs, McGinnis’ office could share the footage with law enforcement for legal action, he explained.

•Made the following additional appropriations: $14,100 in Jay County Community Corrections’ budget for group health insurance; $2,400 for services rendered by Ritter Strategic Services amid the procurement of new radio equipment for local responders; and $1,000 for resident activities at Jay County Country Living.

•Transferred $26,500 in commissioners' budget from employer health insurance to workers’ compensation funds.