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 of those that are advocating for these changes.  (Unplanned means that the changes are not identified in any published plans to include the county comprehensive plan.  A draft of the county economic development strategic plan was presented on June 12, 2019, BC Playhouse, 6:00 p.m.

• 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.

RDC 2019 Initiatives.  In addition to the Economic Plan, priority for the RDC includes an initiative to address “Salvage Yards, Blight, and Squalor.”  This will include addressing junked and abandoned vehicles.  (Source: Area Plan Commission (APC) meeting, May 28, 2019.   Kemp expects participation from the Health Dept, Health Board, APC. BCRSD, Schools, Keep BC Beautiful, Recycle Center, etc. Kemp already has the support of the commissioners and council and leadership in the local Republican party. Expect an increase in property taxes to finance the legal bills and clean up costs?

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. The system can result in yearly increases in assessments and taxes. Citizen’s Guide to Property Tax

Useful Life of Septic Systems  –Policies – County and Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD).  What will be the impact on buyers and sellers of real estate in the County?   Information to consider before purchasing a home in Brown County

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 Utility customers.

• “Environment.”   Attempts are being made to link water quality with failing septic systems.  There is no evidence (reports on file) of any failed septic systems.  Tests are being conducted to determine if e-Coli in creeks and lakes are due to human or animal contamination.

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.  See above – Salvage Yards, Blight, Squalor.   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.

• The plan does not include a capital improvement plan and budget. This would identify the funded and unfunded costs for infrastructure related maintenance, repairs and replacement.

• Examples: Capital Improvement Plans and Budgets

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

Tourism – Facts and Myths

Brown County Leaders Connecting Leaders.   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. This model can be applied to the communities of Bean Blossom and Gnaw Bone.

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.