Indiana Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2026

Last updated: Apr 30,  2026

Relevance to Brown County?  2026 Brown County Primary Challenge.

April 28, 2026. Post – Greg Ballard for Indiana Secretary of State. – Response 

Apr 17, 2026. FINANCE REPORT FEUD: Morales’ office denies Ballard campaign’s accusation of being blocked from filing. The Indiana Citizen

• Ballard has raised $289. 807.
• Bayh led the field, raising more than $620,000 and ending the opening quarter with $1.97 million on hand. Morales followed, bringing in more than $107,000 in donations and having $1.20 million in his campaign coffers.
• Blythe Potter, who is vying for the Democratic nomination, ended the quarter by topping $20,000.
• David Shelton, Knox County clerk, and Jamie Reitenour, the other Republicans challenging Morales for the GOP nomination, had about $3,700 and $2,900 on hand, respectively, at the close of the first quarter.
• Lauri Shillings, Libertarian candidate, ended the quarter with more than $12,000 in her campaign fund.

Mar 10, 2026. ‘STEP FORWARD’: Ex-Mayor Greg Ballard starts new political party in bid for secretary of state  By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen,

• Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is establishing a new political party as he prepares to launch his campaign for Indiana secretary of state.
• Ballard announced on March 3 that he was entering the secretary of state race as an independent. However, the campaign has recently announced that the former Republican mayor will be running as a candidate for the statewide office as a member of the newly formed Lincoln Party.

Rob Kendall Show. Episode 4, March 5, 2026. The Republican freak out to Greg Ballard shows you they know what a bad candidate Diego Morales is. We discussed on today’s show

Former GOP mayor plans independent run for state’s top elections post Niki Kelly, Tom Davies Wed, March 4, 2026 at 6:30 AM EST.

“There’s simply too much division,” Clere (R) said. “Partisanship is a big part of what’s driving it. We need to move away from that and try to find ways to come together as elected officials and unite our constituents, our communities.”

Indiana is one of just six states that allow straight-ticket voting, along with Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma and South Carolina, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

While the General Assembly partially eliminated the practice in 2016 by abolishing straight-ticket voting for at-large races, lawmakers and election experts say the resulting hybrid system has only added confusion.

“Voters don’t always understand that they still have to select individual candidates for at-large races when they vote straight ticket,” Clere said. “So they choose not to vote at all.”

Clere, now in his ninth term, said he has authored or co-authored versions of the bill multiple times, first filing it jointly in 2023 with former Rep. Rita Fleming, D-Jeffersonville. He said the issue has only grown more urgent as political divisions have intensified.

Brown County Government Website – Calendar of meetings, Agendas, and Minutes.

Jan 7, 2026 Commissioners Meeting – Starts around 4:10

• • Agenda Comm Mtg Jan 7 2026 Rev 2026_01_06 1500
  • Presentation of Accomplishments  2025 Commissioner Office Accomplishments  2026_01_07 1330

Commissioner Meeting Agendas:  You can sign up at the county website to have these sent to you via email. They are generally available the day before the meetings. Commissioners meet every first Wednesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. and on the third Wednesday at 6:00 pm.

• • Brown County Government Website – Calendar of meetings, agendas and minutes.
    • • Agenda Center: “Create a Website Account – Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. “
  • The county council has a working session every first Thursday of the month from 9-12. They also meet monthly on the third Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Meetings Streamed on YouTube.  All the meetings are streamed on YouTube at “Brown County Indiana Government Meetings.”  Transcripts are also available.

Brown County Democrat Newspaper. Publishes government meeting schedules. Reporter Courtney Hughett provides extensive coverage of what was discussed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI tools like Google Gemini can be used to provide analysis and summaries of the meetings. The tool can also inform you of how to prompt for the information you are requesting.

Last updated Mar 5, 2025

Preliminary work was done on an update to the county comprehensive plan (cost around 37K). The update process was limited to two public meetings at different locations, on the same day and a survey.  Link to the draft and current version below: 

1. Third Draft 3 Brown County Comprehensive Plan
2. Current Version – Revised 2011 Brown County Comprehensive Plan (PDF)

Commissioners declined to approve the Draft without more community engagement to include identifying “communities” within the county. Coud developing and perhaps testing an agenda for future public meetings be helpful to identify the scope of desired changes?

 2025 Comp LMI by Census Tract  (communities) – LMI average is 40.4%.  To quality for OCRA planning grants, LMI needs to be 51% or higher. (The higher the LMI, the lower the income).

Requirements and Expectations – Comprehensive Plan – Public meetings – Residents know the following:

1. The purpose of a Comprehensive plan (allows a county to manage zoning).
2. How their property and area are zoned.
3. What Zoning District (s) are applicable to their property and area
4. What type of development is allowed within their district
5. The process for how zoning is changed to include decision criteria.

References:

• • Comprehensive Plan Zoning Maps by Townships- Appendix  A
  • Brown County Zoning Ordinance – Districts and Allowable Uses pg 22-31
  • Controversy – Reversing a Zoning Change: Letter to the Editor: Commissioner addresses Tilton property

Brown County — Historical, Cultural and Economic Context

• Summary.   Brown County, is known for its scenic beauty and natural terrain, and as the most heavily forested county in Indiana. Tourism generates approximately $21 million in gross wages and accounts for about 10% of the county’s GDP. Total taxable income on tax returns exceeds $510 million. Approximately 77% of residents’ income is earned outside the county. Although more than half of the land is federally or state-owned, thereby reducing the property tax base, this characteristic enhances the county’s appeal to visitors and current and future residents.
  • Regional Opportunity Initiative (ROI / Upland Regions / Brown County “Story” — Nashville, Tourism Focus.
  • History — Rural, Brown County State Park, Artist Colony, Bedroom Community

• • Brown County is a bedroom, retirement, work from home county with tourism where residents desire a more rural lifestyle.  (We have 4 stoplights in the county (the 4^th was just added last year (2025).

  • Residents want to live here but generate their income (77%) from outside the county.  Tourism accounts for around 21 million in gross wages. The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of all residents is over 510 million. 

  • Our tax policy is high income (among the highest in the state) and low property (among the lowest in the state.).  Our GDP is around 362 million and the total for surrounding counties is around 30 million. Tourism accounts for around 40 million in GDP. 

    • Lower property tax supports second homes and tourist rentals.
  • Schools. Declining enrollment has been systemic. 
  • Home Costs and Affordability.  Demand and availability of buildable land have increased median home values that exceed what is affordable fort those at the more modest income levels. Affordability defined as spending no more than 30% of pre-tax income on housing.
  • “What are best bets for future of local economy?”  Sara Clifford, Brown County Democrat, Dec 28, 2016. Summary from the Community Readiness Initiative (CRI) facilitated by Ball State.
  •  A New Path for Brown County. A Hypothesis for a Modern Plan for growth and Economic Development in Brown County, Indiana, By Chris Schneider – December 5th, 2024
  • Small Communities in Brown County
    • 10 Secluded Towns Lost in the Hills of Indiana’s Rugged Brown County Region:  Elkinsville, Cornelius, Gatesville, Stone Head, Trevlac, Gnaw Bone, Helmsburg, Bean Blossom, Story, Nashville, 
    • Not included: Cordry and Sweetwater Lakes
  • Jobs:
    • Total (2023): 3840; Tourism Related: 1,026
    • Total Tax Returns Filed: 7,302 (2023).
      • Residents paying tax – no job: 3,462.
  • Wages:
    • “Brown County is more typical: 32% of the earnings generated in the county flow out while 77% of the earnings realized by local residents originate elsewhere.
    • Brown County is among the eight in the “high wage increase and high job growth corner,” which leads to prioritizing economic development resources where the market indicates they are best used.
  • Economic Development – Subsidies, Abatements, Tax Increment Financing.
    • The county has not had to subsidize a developer for a project. An abatement (400K) was offered (never used) to the previous owner of the Little Opry to help finance wastewater treatment for a new music venue.  Rebuilding the Little Opry with private money was not feasible.   
    • An Economic Development Area (required) for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) was developed for Helmsburg. A TIF was not needed. Private, not public, funding was used to revitalize the area. Habitat for Humanity also built three homes in the area.
    • The state did approve a 39 million dollar concept to provide sewer service along a corridor that runs from Lake Lemon, Trevlac, Helmsburg to Bean Blossom and Woodland Lake. Priority is service in Bean Blossom (about 200 homes), a new plant in Helmsburg, and then extending service to Lake Lemon.
•  :
  • Medical Services.
    • No hospital or 24×7 Urgent Care Facility. Hospitals and urgent care available in surrounding counties.
    • Medical services provided by two ambulances that serve residents and tourists.
    • Medical treatment can also be provided by volunteer firefighters and EMTs if/when they may be available.
    • IU has a  primary care facility in Nashville.
    • One assisted living facility. 
    • Residents may choose to re-locate when more available medical services are required and assisted living options are needed.
  • Fire and Emergence Services. Provided by Volunteer Fire Departments. Some fire fighters trained as EMTs.
  • Gravel Roads.  Residents can prefer gravel roads that may attract less traffic.
  • New Residents.  Attracted by a more rural environment, recreational opportunities, and amenities provided by tourism businesses.
  • Recreation – Trails
    • Part 1: Part 1: Trails and Parks, Brown County IN
    • Part 2: Trails, Parks, Culture, Brown County, IN
    • Bicycles.  Trails, Paved Roads, Gravel Roads.  Bikes are uniquely designed for the respective surface.   Brown County Mountain Biking.
    • Van Buren Township. Combs Road – Story / Elkinsville.  Road Remains closed due to feedback from the public
    • Hamblen Township – Mt. Tea State Forest, Upgrades to Pumpkine Ridge Rd. Concern by residents for upgrades to a single-lane, unmaintained county road.
• Sewer Service:
  • Nashville, Gnaw Bone, Helmsburg.
  • In process:  Bean Blossom and Lake Lemon
  • Plans:
    • Brown County Regional Sewer District (RSD)
    • Nashville RSD

Broadband. Analysis of FCC data:

• • Fiber is available to 90.31% of Brown County. Individual fiber providers cover:
    • Sci Fiber: 67.84% of the county
    • Mainstream Fiber Networks: 33.29%

Water Services.  Available in 75-95% of the county?  

APC 2025_04_22 Presentation on a Zoing  Change and Enclosures – Decision Criteria 

• • IC 36-7-4-603, Reasonable regard for the following by the Plan Commission and the Legislative body: 
    1. The comprehensive plan;  Brown County Comprehensive Plan (PDF) 
    2. current conditions and the character of current structures and uses in each district;
    3. the most desirable use for which the land in each district is adapted;
    4. the conservation of property values throughout the jurisdiction; and
    5. responsible development and growth.
  • Brown County Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
    • Four Main Principles (Elements). It is important that this comprehensive plan explain the principles (elements) that should be followed when making decisions and also the relative importance of each principle, as this will help those who must make difficult decisions.  This will be especially important in those situations where a decision must balance competing principles. (Ref: Brown County Comprehensive Plan, 2011 Revision).
    • “Criteria” (Four Main Elements (Principles)
    • Preserves – Natural Features and Way of Life
    • Discourages Economic Decline (One Side of the Coin)
    • Fosters Economic Development (Other side of the Coin)
    • Enhances the desirability of Brown County as a place to live in retirement should also be protected, when possible

3. Need: Decision Criteria – Weighted Decision Matrix – to assess (score)  “Relative Importance of each principle.” 

• • Examples – Decision Criteria —   2025 Comp APC Apr 22, 2024 Encl 250419