Last updated 9/3/2025
Sep 3, 2025 Commissioner Meeting. Presentation – Concerns and Key Points form the Aug 20, 2025 meeting. Comm Mtg Mt Tea Presentation 2025_09_03 0800
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- Aug 30, 2025. Notes from the Aug 20 Meeting, Summary of the issues.
Aug 27, 2025. The Wide Road, By Courtney Hughett, Brown County Democrat
Aug 20, 2025. Facebook BCM Notes from Commissioner Meeting.
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- Background: INDOT first developed the concept and cost estimate in 2022. The Brown County Commissioners in 2023 joined with DNR to request funding from the governor. We found no reference yet in any meeting minutes on this decision. There was no county activity on the project in 2024.
- In March 2025, the commissioners were informed of the proposed project and introduced it to the public at the May 21, 2025 commissioner meeting and again on July 16, 2025.
- In the Mar/Apr timeframe, INDOT took action to update the draft plans from 2022. They mailed a Notice of Survey, and a postcard to residents informing them that a survey was going to be conducted and that there would be public meetings. Some residents did not receive notifications and were surprised to see the surveyors. This led to the perception that the project was underway. The INDOT assumption for the public meetings was that the commissioners would first sign an agreement that would start the project and the public meetings.
- Commissioners received a revision of the agreement on August 18 and began identifying the necessary changes. One change is that the county will not provide INDOT with eminent domain authority. “IF” the project is to proceed, commissioners will have as many public meetings as needed to get the buy-in from the community.
- Options could include doing nothing, supporting modest improvements to the road, keeping it gravel, narrowing the road to less than 22 feet, and not paving. It is unlikely there will be 100% agreement on every aspect of the project among all the stakeholders.
- If and once a course of action is selected, the next step is to ensure that the county has oversight and decision authority throughout the process to ensure the plan agreed to by the county is being respected and does not deviate significantly from the plan. Some aspects of the process INDOT has to follow is not flexible due to federal and state requirements.
Posts at Brown County Matters (BCM)
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- Aug 19, 2025. Post at BCM
- Aug 17, 2025, This post at Brown County Matters
DRAFT: INDOT Local Public Agency (LPA) agreement as of 8-18-2025. LPA is the Brown County Commissioners. (Change to itren 14 adding: “and approval”). Further changes are expected.
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- LPA Agreement posted at Brown County Matters
- Draft Local Agreement. R-45205, des. 2301274 Brown County Agreement with updated Boilerplate (Redlined) – The last version of the file with the updates per the new IC changes.
- LPA Agreement posted at Brown County Matters
Brown County GIS — Graphic Overlay of Pumpkin Ridge Road to include Property Owners.
Mountain Tea State Forest
— Mountain Tea State Forest – Map
— Description
INDOT Contact with Residents: NICK BATTA PE | Crawford, Murphy & Tilly | w 317.492.9162 | m 317.409.0665 Indianapolis Group Manager
Along with the usually Notice of Survey, the attached postcard was also sent to residents beginning in March and April. Mountain Tea Postcard rev2
July 16, 2025. Commissioners Paving project decision tabled, INDOT proposal draws concerns
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- “Board President Tim Clark concluded the discussion by making a motion to table any decisions, including contract approvals, until the second commissioners’ meeting in August. “It gives us time, gives the public time,” Clark said. “If you’ve got any additional concerns or comments, bring them to us so we can get all the input we can on making a decision.” The motion to table was approved unanimously.
- An 8-minute video on the proposed project. Mountain Tea State Forest Access Improvement Presentation for Brown County Board of Commissioners
- YouTube – Commissioner Meeting (video/audio poor in sections)
June 19, 2025. Executive Session – Commissioners, DNR, INDOT, Project Managers. No decisions are made at an Executive Session.
May 21, 2025. Commissioners approve bids, discuss railroad closure, Pumpkin Ridge Road plan By Courtney Hughett,
A proposed $6.5 million INDOT project to upgrade Pumpkin Ridge Road, that runs between Hoover Road and Mountain Tea State Forest, into a two-lane paved road was tabled after Commissioners Sanders and Tim Clark raised concerns about the project’s impact on local homeowners, some of whom may be unaware of potential eminent domain action.
“This work may affect the peace of the residents who moved out there for a reason,” said Commissioner Sanders.
Though Commissioner Patrick voted against tabling the matter, the majority agreed to delay approval until more public input could be gathered. INDOT must hold public hearings, but it was noted that once commissioners approve the project, control shifts to the state, limiting county input. Commissioners Sanders and Clark were not comfortable with this.
Mar – May. Project Discussions, Contract Review
Mar / Apr 2025. INDOT Contact with Residents: NICK BATTA PE | Crawford, Murphy & Tilly | w 317.492.9162 | m 317.409.0665 Indianapolis Group Manager
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- Along with the usual Notice of Survey, the attached postcard was also sent to residents beginning in March and April. Mountain Tea Postcard rev2
Mar 5, 2025. Copy of Draft Design Letter and other documents provided to commissioners Aug 9, 2022.
April 10 “2023.” DNR Letter to Eric Holcomb requesting authorization to improve road
Aug 9, 2022 Draft Design Letter for project
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 