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Jay County Commissioners approve OneDigital broker hire, $50,000 JCDC funding and multiple purchases
Summary
The Jay County Commissioners approved hiring OneDigital as the county insurance broker (action recorded May 16), conditionally authorized $50,000 to the Jay County Development Corporation for July–December 2025, and approved several vehicle, facilities and claims expenditures in unanimous votes.
PORTLAND, Ind. — The Jay County Commissioners met May 27 and recorded a May 16 action to replace the county’s insurance broker, approved conditional funding for the Jay County Development Corporation and cleared a series of purchases and claims.
The board recorded that on May 16 Commissioner Doug Horn moved to terminate USI as the county’s insurance broker and hire OneDigital, effective May 31, 2025; Duane Monroe seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. The May 16 meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
At the May 27 session, Angela Paxson, executive board president of the Jay County Development Corporation, told commissioners the organization “currently expect[s] to have a $24,000 budget shortage” for the second half of 2025 and asked for $50,000 to cover the shortfall, build reserves and allow a pay increase for an administrative assistant who "had not received a raise for two years and had stepped in" while the board searches for a new director. Commissioners approved $50,000 for July through December 2025 pending a signed contract (motion by Duane Monroe; seconded by Doug Horn). A contract will be drawn up and presented to both parties’ boards.
The board also approved a range of procurement and claims during the session. Coroner Brayden Fields requested permission to trade in a 2019 RAM 1500 and purchase a 2025 Chevy Tahoe SSV 4WD from Kelly Chevrolet of Fort Wayne for $36,205; the purchase was approved unanimously. Innovative Concepts’ quotes to improve acoustics in the courthouse auditorium — $5,388.32 for 19 sound panels and $2,927.78 for an additional speaker set — were approved. Commissioners approved documents presented for a Lifestream Services local-match claim to buy two mini vans, and they approved payroll and the monthly claims docket, including several emergency claims.
Auditor Emily Franks told the board the budget process had been delayed by new legislation and asked whether to postpone the EDIT request deadline and commissioner meeting schedule; the board agreed to move back the timeline and granted JCDC extra time to submit its 2025 EDIT request because it is structured as a contract for services.
Votes at a glance - Hire OneDigital as county insurance broker, effective 5/31/25 — motion by Doug Horn; seconded Duane Monroe; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve $50,000 to Jay County Development Corporation for July–December 2025 pending signed contract — motion by Duane Monroe; seconded Doug Horn; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve Lifestream local-match claim documents for two mini vans — motion by Doug Horn; seconded Duane Monroe; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve purchase of a 2025 Chevy Tahoe SSV for coroner ($36,205) — motion by Duane Monroe; seconded Doug Horn; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve Ordinance 2025-10 (rezoning of three Pennville parcels) — motion by Duane Monroe; seconded Doug Horn; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve Innovative Concepts sound upgrades ($5,388.32 panels; $2,927.78 speakers) — motion by Doug Horn; seconded Duane Monroe; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve payroll docket, claims docket and monthly treasurer’s report for April — motions by Duane Monroe; seconded Doug Horn; outcome: approved (unanimous).
What’s next: The JCDC contract will be drafted for review by both parties; audit and budget timelines will shift to accommodate new legislation; the county will proceed with ordered vehicle and auditorium purchases.
