Jay County commissioners approve routine contracts, claims and sheriff's drone purchase

The Jay County Commissioners met May 26, 2026, in the courthouse auditorium and unanimously approved a series of routine claims, contracts and purchases affecting county roads, emergency services and county operations.

Duane Monroe, president, presided. Commissioners approved the minutes from the May 11 meeting at the start of the session. The highway department presented and the board approved a $13,115.32 reimbursement contract with the Indiana Department of Transportation for an SR 18 detour; the reimbursement is intended to cover materials, labor and a separately contracted $10,000 repair with KBL on roads 650 and 250. Stephanie Klarer, Assistant Superintendent/ERC, presented the INDOT agreement to the board.

The commission approved three emergency right‑of‑way claims tied to bridge projects: Homan Properties LLC for $4,450 (Bridge 159), Aaron Dirksen for $3,200 (Bridge 93) and Dale Osborne for $2,100 (Bridge 159). Commissioners said the claims were required to proceed with the ongoing bridge work.

A $67,379.66 claim to Santander Bank for the Mowermax loan payment was approved, and the board authorized a professional services agreement with United Consulting that allows the highway department to engage the firm via future task orders.

Sheriff Larry “Ray” Newton and Chief Deputy Ben Schwartz asked the commission to approve a department drone. Schwartz presented two vendor quotes — Brinc at $29,699.10 and Skydio at $25,261.24 — and recommended purchasing the lower Skydio quote because it includes a 12‑month warranty. The commission approved the $25,261.24 purchase to be paid from the accident report fund.

The board also approved two agreements related to the county’s new radio system: under the Pennville Fire Department agreement, Pennville is responsible for warranty costs over four years totaling $3,872.80 and for SMART‑feature costs; the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department agreement makes Dunkirk responsible for lost or damaged equipment. Commissioners approved both agreements as presented.

In routine business, the commission approved the payroll docket, the May claims docket and the clerk’s monthly report for April before adjourning at 9:38 a.m.

Votes at a glance: all motions listed below passed by unanimous vote (yes 3, no 0, abstain 0).

• Approve minutes of May 11, 2026 — Mover: Doug Horn; Second: Chad Aker; Outcome: approved. • INDOT reimbursement contract, $13,115.32 — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • Emergency right‑of‑way claims (Homan Properties LLC $4,450; Aaron Dirksen $3,200; Dale Osborne $2,100) — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • Santander Bank Mowermax loan payment, $67,379.66 — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • United Consulting professional services agreement — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • Sheriff’s drone purchase (Skydio), $25,261.24 — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • JEMS HandTevy pediatric system claim and three‑year agreement, $4,315.19 — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • Pennville and Dunkirk radio‑system agreements — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved. • Payroll docket approval — Mover: Doug Horn; Second: Chad Aker; Outcome: approved. • Claims docket for May — Mover: Doug Horn; Second: Chad Aker; Outcome: approved. • Clerk’s monthly report (April) — Mover: Chad Aker; Second: Doug Horn; Outcome: approved.

The meeting record does not show any recorded opposition, roll‑call dissent, or abstentions on recorded motions. Next steps noted in the session included JEMS returning cost estimates on restricted‑access security for the Dunkirk base and highway staff issuing task orders under the United Consulting agreement as needed.