Why the state of the child?

To Understand top challenges facing youth; Access critical data and solutions; Advocate, empower and inspire action; and Work together and be responsive.

April 23, 2019 Presentation – Community Foundation  SOTC_2019_April 23 Presentation_Brown County

• Supporting detail: “2019 Indiana KIDS COUNT Data Book” (includes sources and links to the data after each section.)

FYI Definition – Data Quality

About:  Indiana Youth Institute exists to improve the lives of all Indiana children. We provide critical data, capacity-building resources and innovative training for people and organizations that impact the healthy development of Indiana’s children and youth. We facilitate collaboration and promote problem-solving and collective advocacy on a statewide scale.

Agreement Relocation and Transfer of Bridge

On 26 January 2017, Brown County Commissioners agreed to accept the relocation of a highway bridge to be used as a pedestrian bridge for the Salt Creek Trail.   The state budgeted $2,100,000.00.   The County is responsible for any additional costs that exceed this amount.

Once installed, the County is also responsible for maintenance.

The agreement (contract) is in effect for 25 years but not to exceed Dec 31, 2045.

Further Information:

• Salt Creek Trail – For The Record

The Vision 2010/2020 Project identified our “Unique and Challenging Demographics” that raised awareness of the “tensions” between the“From heres” and “Come heres”

Tension Between Socio-Economic Levels – Growing Adversarial Culture?

There is a wide and growing income gap, with fewer middle incomes. In addition to creating tension, these shifting demographics have caused housing prices to skyrocket, and property taxes to increase, making it difficult to both live and work in Brown County and further heightening the tension. Many also believe that this gap has skewed the per capita income data for the county, creating an unrealistic profile of the county’s asset base and leading to further challenges.

The difference in perspective that comes along with this tension is profound. It contributes to trust issues and unbalanced participation in community processes.”

Many believe that a fundamental demographic shift is underway and that the demographic slices and tensions described above will continue to increase. Increasing tension between local/non-local and haves/have nots makes it difficult to work together on community issues. Some noted that the shift has created a growing “adversarial culture.”

Reference: 2008 Countywide  Needs and Assets Assessment, slides 22-24.

Community Focus for 2019 – Presentations at the Playhouse

• January 23–Quality of Place and Workforce Town Hall
• April 10–“The survey says and the opportunities are…” Results from the Quality of Place Workforce Plan survey
  • Final Brown County ROI Plan 2019_04_10
• June 12–Our Valuable Resources and our Economic Plan
  • Our Children –Dr. Hammack presents the annual State of Schools Report
  • Our Economic Stability –Jim Kemp & Thomas P. Miller review draft of Economic Plan
• Aug 14 –Preserving Our Environment –Protecting and managing our environment including infrastructure and environmental challenges and plans
• Nov 13 –Review Final Economic Development Plan

Some significant changes happening throughout the county and region.

Can an alignment of regional and county initiatives lead to more employers and higher paying careers, a higher quality of life in our community and an increase in career opportunities for our students? (See below – ROI, Ready Communities and Ready Schools).

The unplanned growth and change in the county are reinforcing long-term concerns of gentrification and questioning the motives regarding these changes.  (Unplanned means that the changes are not identified in any published plans to include the county comprehensive plan.

• Gentrification. Defined as demand in an area that attracts wealthier residents and investors that lead to changes that increase the cost of living to the extent that previous residents can no longer afford to live in the area.
  • This concern was identified in the needs assessment – Unique and Challenging Demographics that was conducted in support of the Vision 2010/2020 initiative.
• Who Benefits? Would include local developers, realtors, the local government that collects more tax revenue.  Changes can lead to increased economic activity and decreased crime rates. In Brown County, local developers include those representing the tourism industry.

Income Trends -Since 1999, there has been a downward trend in the number of residents reporting income under $50,000 and an upward trend in the number of residents reporting income over $50,000.  Overall, a downward trend in the number of residents filing returns.

• State Tax Returns —  Income Trends by Category 1999 – 2016

United Way – Poverty Rates.  In Brown County, 1 of every 5 children lives in poverty, and 1 of every 3 households struggles to afford the basic necessities, including food.  (Source:  Kids Count in Indiana 2017 Data Book, the calendar year 2015 and United Way ALICE Report—2016 Update for Indiana)

Low to Moderate Income (LMI).  A countywide income survey completed in 2017 identified an LMI level at 53.1% which qualified the county for federal planning grants.  The county is currently working on creating an economic development strategic plan.

Econ Development Strategic Plan – Timeline. Scheduled Presentations of the Economic Plan at the Playhouse:

• June 12– Jim Kemp & Thomas P. Miller review draft of Economic Plan
• Nov 13 –Review Final Economic Development Plan

Higher assessed values, higher property taxes. The 2018 Assessed Values (taxes payable in 2019) increased significantly from the prior years.  Since 2012, assessments have increases from 7 – 16 % throughout the county with the exception being Nashville whose major industry is tourism.  Nashville’s assessed value decreases by 1%.   Assessed Values 2012-2019

State Property Tax System. Can result in yearly increases in assessments and taxes. Citizen’s Guide to Property Tax

Higher Cost of Utilities. 

• Proposed $7.3 million Bean Blossom Sewer Project – –  Sewer bill estimated to range from $65.00 to 85.00. Hook-up fee up to $2,500.

  • Regional Sewer Board – Bean Blossom Sewer Project – For the Record

• Water. ” Nashville Utilities would see a 154 percent rate increase”…

  • • Water utility requesting rate changes, Sara Clifford – Apr. 23, 2019. Brown County Water Utility is proposing changes to its water rates that could more than double water bills for Nashville Utilities customers,

Higher Taxes.  The Proposed $10-12 million Justice Center and Historic Courthouse Re-purpose/Renovation.  Will lead to more debt and higher property taxes on fewer residents over the term of the loan.

• • Proposed Justice Center and Historic Courthouse – For the Record

Higher Costs.  Environmental Clean-Up, Blight, Aesthetics (Beautification).  Will require more expense on residents or taxpayers when residents cannot afford to comply with any existing or new ordinances.  Failure or inability to pay fines can result in liens.

• Boards starting to talk about vehicles, property cleanup, Sara Clifford –  Two Brown County boards have begun talking about topics that they know will probably become hot ones: what to do about abandoned vehicles, and how to “preserve and protect our natural environment” in a county that is sensitive to edicts about personal property use.
  • Boards – Redevelopment Commission (RDC) and Area Plan Commission (APC)

County Five Year Financial Plan 2016-2021. Identifies the county is near maxed out on raising income taxes and raising new revenue will require increases in property taxes.

Regional Economic and Community Development Initiatives.

• Regional Opportunity Initiative (ROI). Regional effort to improve local and regional economies.    The region includes an 11-county area that encompasses Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington counties.

• • Marketing Regional “Brand” —  Indiana Uplands.
  • ROI – Ready Schools Grant: SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER: What the ROI means to Brown Brown County Schools. Aug 8, 2017 – By LAURA HAMMACK, guest columnist Brown County Schools recently received some pretty incredible news. After the submission of a comprehensive grant application and a second-round interview process, Brown County Schools was named a Ready School from the Regional Opportunities Initiative Inc.
  • Brown County – Ready Communities

Brown County Leadership Cooperative (BCLC).   The county applied and received a grant in 2017 to participate in the Hometown Collaborative Initiative (HCI).  The team is currently working to complete the Capstone Project to validate a proof of concept for supporting and improving leadership capabilities.

Helmsburg Revitalization – Community Led.   A positive example of leaders in a community taking action to determine what they want and do not want in terms of community and economic development.

Community Focus for 2019

• January 23–Quality of Place and Workforce Town Hall
• April 10–“The survey says and the opportunities are…” Results from the Quality of Place Workforce Plan survey
• June 12–Our Valuable Resources and our Economic Plan
  • Our Children –Dr. Hammack presents the annual State of Schools Report
  • Our Economic Stability –Jim Kemp & Thomas P. Miller review draft of Economic Plan
• Aug 14 –Preserving Our Environment –Protecting and managing our environment including infrastructure and environmental challenges and plans
• Nov 13 –Review Final Economic Development Plan

Link to Brown County Matters Facebook Post.

Election Board Agenda May 9 2019 Meeting

Location:  “Makers Space” at the Junior High School, 95 School House Lane

• May 23 @ 6:00
• JUNE 12 – Playhouse 6:00 PM – Draft Econ Plan
• June 27 @ 6:00
• July 25 @ 6:00
• Aug. 22 @ 6:00
• Sept. 26 @ 6:00
• Oct. 24 @ 6:00
• NOV 13 –Review Final Economic Development Plan – Playhouse 6:00 P.M
• Nov. 28 @ 6:00
• Dec. 26 @ 6:00  (that may need to be adjusted due to proximity to the holidays)