Agenda County Council Meeting Dec 28, 2023   

Audio of the Meeting https://independentvotersofbrowncountyin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/audio-council-meeting-dec-28-2023-.mp3

This post at Brown County Matters

On the land acquisition for a new prosecutor’s office, the listing has been pulled from the market. Letter from the seller – Encounter Life Ministries (ELM)

To VOTERS:  In considering your votes for the May 2024 primaries, you might consider listening to the audio on the discussion on buying property for a new prosecutor’s office (41.15 on audio).  Funding for the project has not been identified in the 2024 budget nor is there a plan for the size of the building needed.

This is probably one of the more insightful meetings that provide citizens with an opportunity to assess the performance of elected council members and commissioners. Key points from the meeting are summarized below:

Outline of the Meeting / Audio

• • 1:00 – 8:30. Opening/Citizen Questions. Note that not much time is taken up with answering questions.
    • I pointed out that only “Allowing” questions at the beginning of a meeting should be “re-considered.” Questions arise as a result of the discussion on the various topics. Gary Huett, the President of the Council stated that are re-considering the policy and in fact, it was ignored in the meeting. Citizens asked questions as the meeting progressed.
    • The local GoP initiated the “no question” policy last fall. It was ignored. This year, both Commiussiponer Pittman and Councilman Huett reminded citizens that they do not have to allow for any questions. Why the threat?
  • 8:40 – 16:30.  Highway Department – Roads. Of interest: For the first time in 5 years, the county did not get the 1 million community crossing grant that funds road maintenance. The state limited the money going to counties. However, in 2024, the amount available increases to 1.5 million and we may have a good chance of receiving this money.
  • 16:30 to 19:20. A little more detail on the health insurance fund. Note that as Jim Kemp points out, health insurance costs are our highest financial risk. It is less expensive to be self-insured BUT it comes with risk and until recently, the council has not prioritized (or even considered) the need to have an additional fund to save money for a very bad year.
  • 31:05. 2023 Salary Ordinance – Close-out.  Nothing significant.
  • 40.25 – Council Contract with a New Attorney. Minor issue, easily resolved. If you listen to the discussion on property acquisition, you can better understand why the council desperately needs its own attorney who is experienced in county government. 
  • 41:15. PROPERTY ACQUISITION – The HEADLINER ISSUE – STAR OF THE SHOW.

This discussion starts at the 41:15 mark on the audio. Very insightful discussion. Arguments could be made as to why  those councilmen voting Yes should  receive feedback that they should be “FIRED” or given an “ATTA BOY.”

Additional coverage of this meeting is discussed at Brown County Refreshed – a private Facebook group – the admin is Sherrie Mitchell who also attended the meeting.

• • Sales Listing: 153 & 161 Gould St. 
  • Property Description and Assessed Values – Brown County GIS: Property and Lot – Gould Street
    • 153 E. Gould Street — 174, 700; 161 E. Gould – 135,900; Total: $310,600

Background. Commissioner Pittman and Wolpert voted to purchase property for a new prosecutor’s office at their Dec 27, 2023 meeting. They need the support of the council via a resolution and ordinance supporting the acquisition. Commissioner Wolpert- voted in by 7 of 11 republican precinct chairs to fill the position vacated by Chuck Braden, is the lead spokesman for the local GoP and Commissioner Pittman.   Commissioner Sanders voted No on the acquisition and identified additional and likely more cost-effective options.

The (300K) Land Acquisition is the last topic on the agenda. The need for due diligence is represented by council members Kemp and Swift-Powdrill. Councilman Redding was absent but can also be a  voice of reason.   Challenging the dictates from the local GoP leadership can have its downsides.

Fast-Track. The local GoP is “HOT” for this property purchase. When these kinds of decisions come up, they put together their talking points that parallel  “The Sky is Falling Unless We Do Something  NOW!” narrative. They appoint spokesmen (s), reinforce the expectation among their faithful for Yes votes, and push/force things through as fast as possible (fast-tracking). The belief is that this  can prevent opposition that can form to slow things down and allow time to perform some semblance of “due diligence.”    This prevents the obvious questions such as: “What the hell are you thinking?”

(This fast-track strategy was used to close the railroad crossing at Indiana Hill Rd. A decision where those opposing the closing spent three years reversing with more left to do.)

In this case, the council voted 4 Yes to 2 Nos to support a property acquisition for a new prosecutor’s office “before” they have ANY idea as to what is exactly needed, i.e., a requirement such as size/square footage, etc. “Due Diligence” requires working through the TOTAL COST ($1.5 – 2 million?) of the project – NOT just land (300k) “and” site prep at $50-100K?

Drafting a Resolution during the meeting. The discussion on Resolution vs Ordinance was “confusing.” To get a vote, Councilman Byrd drafted a Resolution followed by the vote. This was an unprecedented act – never seen it done before. I did witness the commissioners vote on the Resolution that did not exist to close the Indian Hill RR crossing.

Property Acquisition Votes: YES Votes: Huett, Rudd, Kirby, Byrd. NO votes: Kemp, Swift-Powdrill. Redding absent.

Capital Improvement Planning. A need for a new prosecutor’s office was been recognized for over 10 years. Until this year, the commissioners refused to develop any capital improvement plan or budget to identify infrastructure needs to include repairs, replacements/new buildings, and funding.  The lack of a plan has been a repeat finding from the State Board of Accounts(SBOA) that can be and was ignored by county elected officials.

Newly elected commissioner Sanders has been working on a plan and has worked to identify options. However, since he was not the preferred candidate for the Local GoP and their agendas, he is marginalized. Voters can get him some help starting with the 2024 primaries.

Last fall, the commissioners approved funding an addition (around a million dollars) for the courthouse. BUT, all the money for the project was not identified. In the “Search for Money” –  soon to be a major motion picture starring Indiana Jones, money was found for the courthouse project along with an additional $1.4~ million of funds we did not know was available. These funds were applied to health insurance costs that allowed the county to eliminate the deficit. This is the first time in over 4 years we did not start the year in the red.

The more good news is that a systemic problem with budgeting has been identified and corrected, which will hopefully, prevent a re-occurrence. Note that a former auditor uncovered the same issue – money available but not accurately recorded.

Other positive improvements this year have been hiring a new county financial/budget consultant and a new attorney for the council.  Ron Sanders also has been instrumental in representing the interests of all county citizens and not just the special interests. Jim Kemp identified the costs and risks related to health insurance.

History –  Prosecutor Space Requirements:  The county spent 16K (2018) on a study/plan developed by DLZ to build a New Justice Center that included the space requirements for the prosecutor’s office. The total cost of the project would have maxed out on what we would be allowed to borrow. The plan did not identify a compelling need to justify the scope and cost. Changes have since been made to the existing courthouse at a cost of under 2 million dollars and a new prosecutor’s office would likely cost under 2 million. Of interest?  The top floor of the old (abandoned) courthouse would have been used for commissioner’s offices.   Their offices have since been expanded in the space vacated by the Health Department. A new building (the old Nashville PD) was purchased that now houses the Health Department. The initial justification for this acquisition was to provide space for community corrections. The same rationale was used to procure the building ” a once in a lifetime opportunity  …. blah, blah, blah.