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Jay County hires Barnes & Thornburg to lobby on Senate Bill 1 and adopts resolution opposing revenue cuts without replacement
Summary
Commissioners approved a $5,000 agreement with Barnes & Thornburg to lobby regarding Indiana Senate Bill 1 and unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-08 opposing tax changes that would reduce county revenue without replacement; the resolution cites projected county revenue losses through 2028.
Jay County Commissioners voted April 14 to retain Barnes & Thornburg to represent the county on matters related to Indiana Senate Bill 1 and to adopt Resolution 2025‑08 opposing any tax policy that reduces local government revenue without replacement.
Rick Hall of Barnes & Thornburg joined the meeting by phone to describe the bill’s potential effects on new energy projects. Hall told commissioners that under provisions tied to post-Jan. 1, 2025 property treatment, assets could be depreciated down to zero at end of life, potentially eliminating property-tax revenue tied to those projects. He recommended counties with energy projects join a coordinated lobbying effort; the fee cited to participate was $5,000. Commissioners approved the agreement to retain Barnes & Thornburg by unanimous vote.
Commissioners also approved Resolution 2025‑08, a formal statement opposing tax-policy changes that reduce local revenue without a corresponding replacement. The resolution estimates Jay County would lose $997,880 in calendar year 2026, $1,863,020 in 2027 and $2,506,760 in 2028 if such changes are adopted. Commissioner Doug Horn said he supports tax relief but is concerned the bill provides little revenue replacement, leaving counties to make significant cuts to services.
The board instructed staff to monitor legislative developments and to coordinate with counties and stakeholders participating in the retained lobbying effort.
