Clark seeks more accountability for Music Center; Kemp warns against government control
By Courtney Hughett -October 28, 202

• • “Rich Stanley also addressed the council, identifying himself as a candidate for commissioner in 2026 if his federal lawsuit against the Brown County Election Board succeeds. Stanley said the Music Center “is a public asset that only exists due to the taxing authority of the county,” and urged two changes which are to make four of the seven governing board seats elected officials and send 100 percent of the profit back to the county. “Public assets should not be turned over to private business interests,” he said, adding that he opposes selling the venue but wants profits used to offset county costs.”

The council did not support any changes to the current agreements. Councilman Rudd did not commit one way or the other.

Another option: Instead of 4 of the 7 board members being elected officials, these could be direct appointments by the elected officials. 

Background Information on the approval of the project:

• • GUEST OPINION: Time will tell what music center’s impact will be” by TIm Clark
    Brown County Democrat .  May 23, 2019 .
  • BCMC: Brown County Music Center (Maple Leaf): For the Record. (2017-2024)

“Ownership” – Lease to Own.

The State of Indiana allows counties, through a third party, to borrow money to fund buildings such as the Brown County Jail and the Brown County (Maple Leaf) Music Center.   A non-profit is established along with a board to manage the building and the required lease payments.  At the end of the lease, the buidling is transferred to the county.

The required lease payments are included in the county’s annual budget, which is reviewed and approved by the state. For the Music Center, the total amount borrowed was $12.5 million.

• • Brown County Maple Leaf Building Corporation Certificate and Articles of Incorporation – Brown County Maple Leaf Building Corp Certified Copies Attachments

  • FYI  Brown County Jail Bldg Corp CertifiedCopiesAttachments 

Financial Documents

Indiana Gateway Bond-Lease Reports:

• • Bond_Lease Report_ Gateway 3.5 Million
  • Bond_Lease Report_ Gateway 9.0 Million

Bank Documents

• Project Budget approved by the bank: “Schedule of Cost Breakdowns-Hard Costs and Soft Costs:  Maple Leaf Hard and Soft Costs
• Oct 29, 2018. Updated Hard and Soft Costs Maple Leaf Draw 7 part 1 Updated Hard and Soft Costs
• Brown County Maple Leaf Bldg Corp First Mortgage Note Feb 8 2018  $3,500 ,000
• Brown County Maple Leaf Bldg Corp First Mortgage Note Dec 27 2018  $9,000,000