Updated: Mar 22, 2022

Mar 4, 2022. Interim Report: State of Quality in the County

Mar 2, 2022. Commissioner Meeting. Commissions confirmed and Reinforced No Question policy.

Feb 15, 2022. COUNTY NEWS: County implements new virtual meeting option. Commissioners refuse to allow citizens to ask questions on topics discussed during the meeting.  But you can always a question via email – but don’t hold your breath on getting an adeqate or timely response. My requests submitted via email, below.

Requests for information (RFI) from county officials can be made via email, letter, or formally through Indiana’s Public Access Counselor (PAC).  The Public Access Counselor provides advice and assistance concerning Indiana’s public access laws to members of the public and government officials and their employees. Formal Complaint Form

On formal complaints, as of Dec 29, 2019, I have made three.  One was asking for the customer list for the proposed Bean Blossom Sewer Plant, one was to obtain copies of the draft septic ordinance policies and procedures manual from the Health Department, and the third was asking for a list of legal settlements made by the county – this one is still ongoing.  The process within Indiana is not bad – the federal system is much more bureaucratic and lengthy.

Generally, county officials have within 30 days to respond to a request. Typically, responses are mush faster and on the same day in many cases.

I’ve created this post to keep track of my RFIs.  Commissioners meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 2:00, Salmon Room, County Office Building and via Zoom.

Pending Requests for Information and Action

Feb 3, 2022, BCRSD. OPEN. Requested a copy of the presentation by Clint Studabaker that included a justification for 300K of ARP Funding.

• • Mar 10, 2022. They have refused to provide.

Jan 16, 2022. Council.  OPEN. Request a review of the Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD).

• • Watch List – BCRSD.

Jan 7, 2022. Assessor. Closed.  Music Center not obligated to pay “property taxes. ” On assessments,  (By law) Cyclical reassessment looks at properties every four years  (but can occur more frequently). Typically hotels/motels are valued on their income and expense statements.

• • The Music Center paid 54K in property taxes.  Is the Music Center required by law to pay property taxes?  Unlike a jail or a courthouse, a venue with the purpose of generating a profit and increasing tourism from out of county residents,  is not a “public good.”
    • Jan 6, 2022. Innkeepers tax hits $1 million: Checking in with visitors bureau, music center By Suzannah Couch
  • Assessments in Nashville.  What are the options for how commercial properties in Nashville are assessed?   When I’ve looked at trends throughout the county, Nashville had the smallest amount of increases.   (Increases for residents are based on sales/market. Little turnover in commercial properties.)

Jan 6, 2022.  Closed.  Commissioners — ABC Appointment?  No info – website.

Jan 5, 2022. Commissioners. Closed – Mar 22, 2022,  Request information – Brown County Music Center (BCMC) Finances. Note: Commissioner Biddle and Councilman Bryd are the elected officials that serve on the BCMC Board.

• • Does the Music Center show a profit last year and this year?  Is the mortgage payment factored into the calculation as to profit and loss?   What was the impact of the revenue from the county (239K) and the feds (2.737)  million regarding profit or loss?
  • Has the financial condition of the BCMC ever been independently audited?
  • When will the BCMC’s independently audited financial statement for 2021 be available?  Is the auditor Blue and Company?

 Dec 23, 2021. Request for Council – OPEN   Requested a documented position by Barnes and Thornburg attorneys regarding the councils’ review and approval of the CVC budget.

• • Innkeepers Tax Revenue – Govt Oversight

Dec 22, 2021. Request to Commissioners. CLOSED.  Requested copies of correspondence (including Petitions) between the RR and the County regarding the RR Crossing on Indian Hill Rd.  (Background Info Part 1: Closure – Railroad Crossing – Indian Hill Rd”

• • Filed a formal request through the State. County notifed Feb 9, 2022.
  • Mar 10, 2022. Copy of Letter Received. Indiana Hill Road closing letter 5-20-2019
• Dec 14, 2021.  Commissioners. CLOSED.  Request for copies of proposals submitted for the first round of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

  • 2022/23 ARPA Funded Projects – For the Record

  • No response from the commissioners. I was able to confirm I had current copies.

Dec 14, 2021. BCRSD. Closed Jan 1, 2021.  Requested copies of minutes that documented the discussion regarding the postcard notification to 600 residents that include a summary of water testing results.

Dec 11, 2021. Auditor. Closed. Request for information regarding receiving any money (crossing closure funds) from INDOT to help with closing the railroad crossing on Indian Hill Rd.

• • As of Jan 18, 2022, Auditor not aware  of any receipt of money from from the crossing fund.  County did apply for 10K and and Jerry Pittman acknowledged the 10K. Working to confirm the county acutally recdeived the 10K.
  • Mar 2022 (or about). Per follow-up with the Auditor, this (10K) is a reimburseable grant.
  • More info: Part 1: Closure – Railroad Crossing – Indian Hill Rd

Dec 11, 2021. Auditor. OPEN. Requested a copy of the new BCMC Admin Agreement once signed.

July 2021.  Commissioners and State. CLOSED (Mar 21, 2022 — see FB post). Requested a list of all the legal settlements (case/amount) made by the county over the past 10 years. Made a formal request to the State Public Access Counselor that resulted in “paper dump” that did not include the requested information.   Made repeated follow-up requests to the commissioners with no resolution.

• • Jan 05, 2022. Follow-Up – Commissioners.  Request information on the settlement with John Simpson. If the settlement was made, it was not listed as a county claim – it would have been provided by the insurer (GIE?).