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Jay County Commissioners approve $825,318 paving bid, renew employee counseling contract, and OK amended solar project agreements
Summary
The Jay County Commissioners unanimously approved a $825,318 bid for paving on 400 S, renewed a county employee mental-health contract with Lifeworks Counseling, and approved amended decommissioning and road-use agreements for Scout Clean Energy projects, among routine financial approvals.
The Jay County Commissioners met April 13, 2026, at the courthouse auditorium and unanimously approved a series of routine and project-specific items, including a $825,318 contract for paving on 400 S, a one-year renewal of the county’s employee mental-health agreement, and amended agreements for two Scout Clean Energy projects.
President Duane Monroe presided. Commissioners Doug Horn and Chad Aker were present along with County Auditor Emily Franks and County Attorney Wes Schemenaur. Commissioner Doug Horn moved to approve the March 30 minutes and the April 1 executive-session minutes; Commissioner Chad Aker seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
In presentations, Kevin DeCamp, project manager for Lifestream, asked the board to approve a deobligation of CARES Act funds to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Commissioner Chad Aker moved to approve the deobligation; Commissioner Horn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Highway Superintendent Bob Howell reported routine graveling and storm-related roof damage to the salt bay and service area. Howell said the roofs do not yet need full replacement but will require new fasteners and sealing; he added the main building metal roof may need replacement because it was previously nailed rather than screwed, and he will provide contractor quotes at the next meeting. The highway department also plans to address curb issues at the Seventh Street Bridge.
After reviewing two bids with USI Consulting, the commissioners awarded the CCMG FY26 paving contract for 400 S to Brooks Construction for $825,318. Commissioner Chad Aker moved to approve the bid and contract; Commissioner Doug Horn seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote.
Ceann Bales, executive director of the Jay County Development Corp, gave a quarterly update, saying the agency handled five building- and land-related requests in the previous month, worked with Mike Kleinpeter and the town of Dunkirk on the Green Building Project, and received three developer applications for a housing project whose applications were due April 10. Community developer Colby Cline outlined planning concepts for a Pennville Park shelter, the Portland Riverwalk trail, infill housing, and reuse options for the former Bailey and Hawkins buildings.
Brooke Aker, owner of Lifeworks Counseling, discussed renewing the county’s counseling agreement for employees, which commissioners said provides a worthwhile service for staff and first responders. Commissioner Chad Aker moved to renew the contract for one year; Commissioner Doug Horn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Scout Clean Energy project manager Spencer Micali presented amended decommissioning agreements for the Bitter Ridge and Sun Chief projects and an amended road-use agreement for Sun Chief. The amendments treat the substation/transmission line as a separate component so the full project can be decommissioned while the line may be retained or co-owned; Micali said Sun Chief is scheduled to start construction in July or August 2026. Commissioners approved the documents as presented, by unanimous vote.
The board noted that Waste Management paid the 2026 landfill permit fee and voted to issue the permit. Commissioners also approved the payroll docket and the March treasurer’s report, and authorized four vehicle titles for auction on April 18. Each motion was moved by Commissioner Chad Aker, seconded by Commissioner Doug Horn, and passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.