RDC Meeting Notes Aug 20, 2024

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Handouts

  • Changes to Minutes for June (Delete – No value from RDC) and July (add elected official brief)  
  • RDC Aug 20 2024 – Pre meeting Notes – agenda Items
    • On the 2019 economic development strategic plan, Good idea on using the format for goals and objectives. (This document was approved for payment only and then tabled by the commissioners for a variety of reasons).
    • In the area of strategic planning, it helps to start with an overall concept – a common operating picture. This “picture” varies by group and it helps to at least identify the groups (stakeholders) and their respective interests. There is a format for development of a strategic plan at the following: https://browncountyleadernetwork.com/support-services-2/.
    • The BCLN was developed as a result of a grant that the RDC received in 2017. On the development of the new county comprehensive plan, we do need a support strategy. I suspect people are not aware of the zoning maps and what exactly can be allowed within the respective zones, Spot Zoning is a concern. Some areas may want more commercial development that can be supported with an EDA, CDC, TIF/Other.
    •  On agenda items, (1). RDC Annual Report. The RDC is required to produce an annual report to include budget expenditures. This follows the discussions we had after the last meeting about informing the council and commissioners on the RDC’s concept for supporting development via EDAs, CDCs and possible TIFs (and other RDC funding options) in the various areas. This has been the major focus this year and included conversations with the county’s financial advisor and Tom Pitman from B&T. (2). Tilton/Apartment Project Update.
    • Any updates from the briefing to the joint session of the county council and commissioners? This occurred the day after our last meeting. What if the project is approved – then what?
    •  Nashville’ Sewer Expansion Plan. On the possible EDAs that fall within Nashville’s Sewer Expansion area, what is the position of Nashville’s Town Council and Utility Service Board (USB) on the issue? What are the USBs priorities and timeline?
    • TIFs and Other Options for the RDC to Fund Projects. I would like to know more about the funding aspect. If the county does not have the money to fund an infrastructure project, is the process similar to what we have to do for the capital improvement loan? This requires a resolution to approve a General Obligation Bond which is paid for with a new property tax. On any new taxes to support private development projects, taxpayers will expect to be informed of the risk related to the expected return on investment. TIFs eventually provide a source of revenue from increases in assessed values but capital is needed up front.
    • Property Tax and Assessment Database. I did get the needed approvals that granted the RDC access to the data. There is a learning curve. For example, I attached a list of the available data but they did not have a “dictionary” to define the terms. Getting this information will require digging into any manuals that are available.
    • IU. I do want to reach out to IU to see if they are interested in supporting. I developed a good relationship in 2017-2018 with IU’s Graduate Masters Public Administration (MPA) program, and we had two successful student-led projects.
      • May be good to wait until after the Nov election when we have two new commissioners. A software (analytics) package that we can use is Tableau. This is used by The State of Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH). Tableau is also used by IU, to include Stats Indiana. Once we get the needed support, we can create additional databases to add income data and job categories (NAICS) to assess trends. Longer-term, I would also like to develop a financial decision-support model.   

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