Restriction added to ordinance

The county’s road restrictions for trucks have changed.

Jay County Commissioners approved an amendment Monday to the county’s truck restriction ordinance.

Commissioners originally talked about establishing a temporary no-truck route along a detour in Jay County ahead of bridge work planned on Indiana 18 just west of Bryant starting in April. The local traffic detour, mapped by Indiana Department of Transportation, routes along county roads 50 West, 650 North and 250 West. Hopes were to temporarily ban truck traffic from the detour and instead require them to stay on state highways and official state detours.

County attorney Wes Schemenaur explained the county amended its ordinance a few years ago, setting restrictions for trucks on certain county roads during state highway closures.

Per the ordinance, trucks, truck-tractors and semitrailers are prohibited from using certain roads while Indiana 26, U.S. 27 or Indiana 18 are subject to an official detour provided by Indiana Department of Transportation. Schemenaur noted the county has had issues with planning a timeline for temporary truck restrictions amid construction projects and suggested the new language, which does away with specific dates for the restriction to start and end.

Restricted sections of roads added to the ordinance include county road 50 West between Indiana and county road 650 North, county road 650 North between county road 50 West and county road 250 West and county road 250 West between county road 650 North and Indiana 18.

Commissioners approved the amendment. They also approved Indiana Department of Transportation’s detour for local traffic to use during bridge work on Indiana 18.

Also Monday, commissioners agreed to commit 30% toward grant applications to repair or replace two bridges in Jay County.

Highway superintendent administrative assistant Stephanie Klarer explained the county received a letter from Indiana Department of Transportation asking counties applying for federal funding to consider contributing matches greater than the base 20% required.

Officials have applied for dollars to rehabilitate two bridges on county road 300 East between county roads 300 South and 400 South. One bridge is expected to cost $3.84 million, with the other bridge estimated at $3.68 million. With a 20% match, the county would contribute roughly $1.5 million.

Klarer asked commissioners if they could agree to bump up the county’s contribution in the projects, bringing its match to approximately $2.2 million.

Commissioners agreed to bump up the county’s contribution from 20% to 30% in its application as a good-faith measure.

If the federal funding is approved, construction on the two bridges will start in 2030.

Also Monday, commissioners approved a general service agreement with civil engineering company SJCA of Indianapolis.

Perry Knox of SJCA explained his company primarily offers bridge services, including inventories, inspections, bridge design and rehabilitation and leveraging state and federal funding. Knox said his company would like to move forward with planning work for the county.

Commissioners president Chad Aker noted the agreement outlines terms and parameters if the county chooses to move forward with SJCA’s services for projects in the future. Commissioner Duane Monroe said representatives from Randolph and Blackford counties recommended the company.

Commissioners also agreed Monday to set June 13 as the deadline to submit requests for 2026 economic development income tax (EDIT) funds. Commissioners plan to host a special meeting at 4 p.m. June 25 to look over requests and select projects to be paid for out of next year’s budget.

In other business, commissioners Doug Horn, Duane Monroe and Chad Aker:

•Heard from community coordinator Darlesia Lee about a digital equity grant available for the county to create a computer lab intended to teach community members basic skills at no cost. Lee noted the grant is available via Indiana Broadband Office and opens in April.

•Signed a contract with Schneider Geospatial (also known as Beacon) for geographic information system (GIS) and web-based property information services. The company, which purchased the county’s previous GIS provider, increased its cost for the year by an additional $9,860. Per the new contract, the company will be paid $37,485 in 2026 and $39,360 in 2027 for its services.

•Approved the following: vacating parts of Center Street and Water Street in the New Cordon area; a de-obligation agreement with LifeStream Services; paying a $134,510 claim for a new highway department truck from Stoops Freightliner of Indianapolis; spending $52,450 for Jay County Surveyor’s Office to purchase a new truck from Kelley Chevrolet of Fort Wayne; replacing a repeater for Jay County Sheriff’s Office radio equipment at $18,944.23; a $16,910 trade-in and $15 vehicle licensing agreement for Jay County Highway Department; paying Cleaver Cabeling $13,300 to upgrade 11 computers and a laptop with up-to-date software; paying nearly $1,800 to Display Craft to install new vinyl coverings on office windows at Jay County Purdue Extension Office.

•Tabled decision on opting into Globe Life Liberty National Division supplemental insurance for employees. Aker suggested the firm as a potential secondary coverage, with Globe Life representatives sharing a short presentation. County auditor Emily Franks said she would like to hold off while the county adjusts to its new insurance plans through Understand, Service and Innovate (USI) Insurance. (Commissioners have a special session Wednesday to discuss health insurance.)

•Signed a proclamation declaring March 17 through March 21 as Agriculture Week in Jay County.

•Were reminded commissioners meet for their next regularly scheduled meeting on March 31. (The date was changed from the fourth Monday of the month because of scheduling issues.)

•Accepted a $415 donation to Jay Emergency Medical Service.