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Jay County commissioners approve scanner replacement, contracts, vehicle purchases and multiple claims
Summary
At their Feb. 24 meeting commissioners approved purchasing a replacement Bookeye scanner for $58,810 (expected insurance reimbursement), reviewed the Beacon GIS contract change with an added $17,442 charge, approved a highway truck trade and purchase, a $176,875 ARP bridge claim, a $47,214 Purdue Extension contract, $13,150 opioid-restricted payment for a sober-living facility, and multiple routine claims and payroll items.
Jay County commissioners approved a bundle of contracts, equipment purchases and claims at the Feb. 24 meeting, all by unanimous vote or by motions authorizing follow-up review.
Auditor Emily Franks told commissioners the county's Bookeye book scanner was destroyed by water damage on Sept. 4, 2025; Priority Engineering quoted $58,810 for a replacement. Franks said the county will pay from the recorder—unds (perpetuation) and expect reimbursement from insurance; two claims were submitted to cover replacement costs ($29,405 each). Franks also said the county—een required to accept a new Schneider Geospatial/Beacon plan after the county's prior GIS vendor was acquired; the vendor agreed to add most required county contract language but would charge an additional $17,442 to include an auto-renewal clause; commissioners approved the contract pending county attorney review.
Highway Superintendent Bob Howell reported a trade-in and purchase offer: trade a 2024 Dodge Ram (truck #2) toward a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with an effective net cost of $34,000 after trade-in; Howell reported Glass Capitol Chrysler may not honor original warranty because of aftermarket modifications, while Kelley CA Automotive Group said Chevy would honor warranty if a plow had been installed by an authorized dealer. Commissioners approved the purchase.
A CivilCon claim of $176,875 for bridge #114 replacement was approved to be paid from ARP funds. The retirement center petty cash request for $200 and a Canteen Services claim of $851.85 were also approved. The sheriff's department presented claims for two 2025 Dodge Durangos ($87,774) and a 2024 RAM transport van ($85,017); commissioners approved those payments. Hays & Sons progress and change-order claims ($10,360.12 and $14,300.21) related to courthouse repair work were approved for release after the auditor and superintendent sign off on final completion.
Health and human services items included approval of a $47,214 contract with Purdue Extension to expand multiple programs and add staff and materials; the Health Department must report program data into a state portal. Commissioners also continued to act as a pass-through for Lifestream transit grant funds rather than having INDOT pay the grantee directly. Kimbra Reynolds (Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition) requested $13,150 from opioid-restricted funds to support the sober-living facility "Vision on Votaw"; the commissioners approved the request.
Gary Barnett (JEMS) told commissioners the ambulance service will need four new heart monitors in coming years at roughly $60,000 each and asked about modest base improvements to the Portland station; commissioners discussed longer-term plans for a public safety building. All items were approved by motion and unanimous vote unless noted as pending attorney review.
