Jay County approves $192,240 loan for new wheel loader, discusses CDL hiring contracts and road work

The Jay County Commissioners voted Dec. 9 to authorize a bank loan to buy a new highway wheel loader and approved several highway operational items. The resolution (2024-07) authorizes a $192,240 loan from Farmers State Bank at 5.75% annual interest, to be repaid over four years with the first installment due in December 2025, after a motion by Rex Journay and a second from Brian McGalliard; the vote was unanimous.

Highway Superintendent Bob Howell told commissioners the department recently received a new wheel loader and returned a tractor with a mower installed; commissioners approved transferring an existing Caterpillar wheel loader from the highway inventory to the county surveyor. Howell also asked for approval of a series of right-of-way permits for AEP, which the board approved unanimously.

Howell proposed creating conditional employment contracts that would allow hiring applicants who lack a commercial driver’s license (CDL) on the condition they obtain the CDL within a set period. Howell suggested one year for training completion and a two-year conditional employment term; he estimated CDL training in Fort Wayne would cost about $3,900 per employee but said qualifying employees might use an Ivy Tech program and grant funding to reduce that cost. Commissioners directed Howell to present the proposal to the personnel committee and county council.

Commissioners opened 2025 highway aggregate bids from IMI and US Aggregates (bids covered multiple stone types) and voted to accept all submitted bids for 2025. The board’s approvals at the meeting were passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.