Strong 2025, future concern

Jay County closed 2025 in a strong financial position, but local officials remain concerned about the potential impact of changes to state tax policy.

Jay County auditor Emily Franks provided Jay County Council with a snapshot of year-end finances for the county while also reminding its members that they are encouraged to make their voices heard with the state legislature.

Franks shared with the council that the county brought in $1.3 million more than it spent from its general fund in 2025. That left the general fund with a year-end balance of $7.9 million.

“All in all, it was a very strong year for us again,” said Franks.

She explained that the year was expected to be strong because of a large taxpayer that made two tax payments during 2025 to make up for a previous year, more earned interest than expected and a $600,000 tax release in May that is only received under specified conditions.

However, she also reminded the council that Jay County is projected to be one of the hardest hit counties in the state as a result of 2025 Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1. The legislation made a variety of changes to tax policy. Those include changes to property tax deductions, tax credits and the exemption on personal property tax for businesses while also overhauling the local income tax system. Those changes are expected to result in the county receiving less funding than under the previous system. Uncertainty remains as lawmakers have indicated plans to make adjustments to the law during this year’s legislative session.

Franks expressed concern about potential changes, saying there has been some talk that more funding will be pulled from counties to account for entities that were missed in the new income tax structure.

“We cannot take any more of a hit to our income tax than we already have,” said Franks.

She expressed concern about being able to meet essential functions — they include public safety and infrastructure — if additional cuts are made.

Council member Bryan Alexander asked about the county’s property tax relief fund. Franks noted that the county is projected to receive $3.12 million in that fund this year, down from $3.73 million in 2025.

Franks also pointed out that tax rates for the county and all of its taxing units, including municipalities, Jay School Corporation and Jay County Public Library, have gone up with the exception of Portland. She said the county’s assessed value has gone up as well.

She pointed out that some tax deductions have been increased by the state, which makes it unclear what individual tax bills will look like this year.

“It’s gonna be real hit or miss whether your tax bill goes up or down, I think,” Franks said.

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

•Re-elected Minnich as president and Bracy as vice president.

•Approved encumbering funds for 2026 that were not spent in 2025, including $1,750 for the highway department in its bridge repair fund, $13,850 in cumulative capital development for highway barn repairs, a total of $22,808.49 for the health department and a total of $5,184.54 for Jay County Community Corrections.

•Reappointed council members to the same boards and councils they served on in 2025. Those include May to Jay County Regional Sewer District, Parr, Alexander, Brewster and Towell to the county’s economic development income tax advisory board, Brewster to the road committee, Towell to Jay County Redevelopment Commission, Minnich to Jay County Plan Commission and Bracy to Jay County Development Corporation. 

•Appointed Randy Geesaman and Kelly Herman to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals, and Chuck Huffman to Jay County Redevelopment Commission.

•Heard an update from Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales that included the introduction of new community developer Colby Cline. She noted the results of a regional wage study, which showed an average wage of $27.08 in the east central Indiana region.

•Received the quarterly commissary report from Sheriff Ray Newton.