This post and comments at Brown County Matters
Commissioner Meeting Notes, June 7, 2023, 2-4 p.m.
Zoning Approval. (30.50 – 59:30). The YMCA/IU Medical Group received zoning approval (Residential to General Business) to build a new medical service building at 100 Maple Leaf Blvd. The area is located north of the Music Center bordering 46. Entry into the facility will be from Maple Leaf Blvd. With a generous donation, the YMCA bought the land from the Snyders (2 acres at 750K) and will be building/leasing the new building to IU which will continue to provide the YMCA with a revenue stream. Currently, IU Medical Group has space adjacent to the YMCA facility. The purpose of the new building is to provide primary care and support walk-in patients. It is not intended for urgent care.
New commissioner – Blake Wolpert (replaced Chuck Braden who resigned due to work conflicts), was elected as vice president. Yes votes from Pittman and Wolpert, a No vote from Sanders.
Financial Management. (08:29) Ron Sanders has been consistent in reinforcing the need to know the status of funds before approving new spending. He has requested advanced copies of all the claims before the meetings so he will have time to review them. Another area that needs a legal review is contracts which can commit the commissioners to spend more money than expected. Sanders pointed out two examples that could have resulted in extra expenses – possibly over 40K.
Note: Past practices regarding the management of funds by commissioners during the year have been somewhat informal. For instance, a commitment for the new additions to the courthouse was made before the commissioners knew exactly where the money was coming from. At one point, they thought they would have to borrow money. A new county budget is approved by the State in January. Budget reviews (actual vs budgeted amounts) have not been part of the review/approval process. Further, a capital improvement plan and budget and other unfunded requirements are not identified during the budget process and come up as “surprises” during the year.
Parks and Rec. Mark Shields identified the need for about 11K for new cameras. The source of funds not identified. Commissioners held off approving before they identified funding. Keith Baker (1:31:45) who manages volunteers that mow grass (2,600 hrs a year), received a donation – a portion of which (10K) he donated to the County for a new mower. He expected the county to match with 10K. Pittman and Wolford voted to approve the 10K from county funds. Sanders voted No citing the need to first identify the availability of funds.
Salt Creek Trail. Per Mike Magnor, the section from the State Park to the Red Barn is expected to be finished by the end of summer. No information was provided regarding the status of the acquisition of land needed to connect the trail from the Red Barn to the YMCA. The acquisition falls under the state and not the county and requires land to be acquired from Snyder Farm.
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 