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Jay County commissioners approve equipment purchases, IT upgrade and contract renewals; ARP project decision deferred
Summary
At its Dec. 8 meeting Jay County commissioners approved a dump truck purchase, an IT upgrade and several contracts and claims; a motion to stop work on a 68-acre ARP project was made but deferred pending legal review.
The Jay County Commissioners met Dec. 8 and approved a series of routine and capital items, including vehicle and equipment purchases and contract renewals.
The board approved the minutes from Nov. 24 by unanimous vote. In personnel and sheriff matters, commissioners approved a reimbursement contract related to a deputy (Deputy Miller) and authorized the carryover of flex time for two sheriff’s office employees through March 31, 2026; both actions passed by unanimous vote.
Sheriff Larry “Ray” Newton asked for $190,000 from the Cum Cap Development fund to replace three vehicles, pending receipt of quotes; commissioners requested quotes and said they could encumber funds if a purchase order is presented by year-end. For a single Western Star dump truck with a 2027 chassis and 2026 engine, commissioners accepted a recommendation to purchase from Fyda Freightliner of Cincinnati for $143,768 over a slightly lower bid because of service considerations and approved that purchase by unanimous vote.
The commissioners authorized Sheriff Newton to sign a three-year renewal contract for the RAVE alert system after attorney review; the three-year price was lower on an annual basis than a one-year option, according to Newton. The board also approved scrapping older plows removed from inventory and authorized replacement-plow quotes to be returned for consideration.
Highway Superintendent Bob Howell reported road repairs have been paused because of weather. The commission approved awarding contractual work for bridges 177 and 178 to the successful bidder (transcript lists both SJCA and SCJA) and noted United Consulting was awarded work for bridges 93 and 110 after the scoring process. Commissioners approved a $10,031.10 network upgrade from LEAP Managed IT using infrastructure funds.
Emergency Management Director Samantha Rhodehamel reported HMEP grant closeout and completion of DECON training; she said some federal grant cycles (HMEP 2026, EMPG 2025 salary grant) were delayed by a federal shutdown. Rhodehamel told commissioners that the Multi Hazard Mitigation Grant requires in-kind time contributions from community members, including commissioners.
On ARP money matters, Commissioner Duane Monroe said Baker Tilly provided three options for recovering ARP funds if the county chose to end the 68-acre project. Monroe moved to stop work with Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA); commissioners deferred a final decision until the county attorney could advise on legal and obligation implications. The county also approved emergency claims to Millwright Solutions ($157,200) and to Dean Homan ($17,635), accepted December property tax settlement numbers and agreed to terminate a lease with the City of Portland for community resource center space and arrange JCDC occupancy in January 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
