Commissioner Meeting Notes, Oct 4, 2023 

Agenda Oct 4, 2023

Audio of the meeting.

Gnaw Bone Regional Sewer District. The district does not have the support needed to manage the sewer plant. The two current board members have also been working to make needed repairs to help keep the costs down. No volunteers to serve on the board. The RSD  may be consolidated with the Brown County RSD or could be sold to a private entity. Commissioner Pittman provided a good summary of the history of the plant and current challenges.

Policy Coordination.  Good to see an awareness by the commissioners of the need to coordinate proposed changes with those that will be affected.  A proposed new personal policy will be shared with county employees for comment.  The Judge will be asked for input on the display and placement of the historic courthouse bell. A display will be built to allow people to “ring the bell” and donate money. No idea if the “bell ringing”  could be a distraction when trials are in progress.

Indian Hill RR Crossing. INDOT returned the crossing to the county and identified conditions that will need to be met before it is re-opened. Details regarding what needs to be done and the required funding will need to be worked out within the next few weeks. This will need to be followed with an action plan that will include a target date for re-opening.

Background:  “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In May 2020, a former commissioner with the support of the local GOP  and highway superintendent advocated to close the crossing. They chose not to hold a public hearing or inform all the stakeholders that would be adversely affected by the closing.  The county’s legal representation – Barnes and Thornburg, did not identify at a public meeting, the risks to the county of fast-tracking this closing. The pushback from stakeholders over the past three years led to the petition to INDOT to re-open.  Background details and history.

Decision making.  Unfortunately, this decision-making process where the interest of the few outweighs the many is not unusual. For instance, the only public meeting that elected officials had regarding public input on approving the Music Center was at the meeting where they voted to approve the venue. Another example – a “county” wastewater strategic plan was developed and approved by “appointed” officials without any public meetings. This plan is the basis for “Phase 1” of a proposed $50 million dollar sewer expansion project.   Further disrespect for citizens and potential customers is demonstrated by the ongoing delay in providing responses to questions about the project. This may play a factor in citizens’ support for agreeing to needed easements. The public hearing on the project was on July 8, 2023, and the deadline for providing questions was July 14, 2023.

Expect Better?  Interesting that the trends to centralize and abuse power at the national level are just as prevalent at the local level. The centralization of political power always corrupts and Brown County is not immune to the addiction and its consequences.

2024 Primary Elections and additional information on the county’s political culture

Brown County Leader Network (BCLN).  Methods and tools that provide an alternative path for improving our government and quality of life within our community. The premise?  We the People are top management. Application of the better methods will more likely result in better outcomes.

Updated Oct 10, 2023.

Posted at the Facebook Group – Brown County Matters  – 10/1/23.

In the American system of government (a Republic), We the People (aka Voters) are “Top Management.”

The aim of our system is to enable citizens to work together in pursuit of  “a more perfect Union.”  This requires a commitment to continuous improvement.   The context for “more perfect” is an expectation for actions that result in more needs being met. This reduces the harm caused to people from unmet needs.

• • Brown County Leader Network – Methods and tools supporting continuous improvement.
    • Who are all the stakeholders affected by a project in the near, mid, and long term?  What are their needs?  How do they define “more perfect”? What information is needed by the stakeholders to assess results?
  • Additional context on the principles, methods, and tools supporting continuous improvement: Success Through Quality

Accountable and Responsibility. We the People are expected to hold our elected and appointed officials  “accountable” for the services (outputs) provided on our behalf. However, we retain the responsibility for assuring that actions lead to results (outcomes) where all citizens benefit, or at least, not any worse off.

Civic Education – Assess your knowledge?   How many citizens could pass a citizenship test? 

Government Performance and Results.  Given a systemic lack of civic education, knowledge,  and advocacy, citizens may not be aware of the systems that are in place to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government at all levels.

Internal Controls – Prevention of Waste, Fraud, Abuse, Mismanagement.  Both the state and federal governments have Internal Control related statutes, policies, and processes to help provide assurance to citizens on the effective and efficient use of tax dollars.

Oversight – Office of Inspector General (OIG).  The intent of internal controls is to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. At the federal level, oversight is provided by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).  The responses to citizen complaints to OIG offices can be provided to elected officials for their respective review and approval. Insight from this step can identify needed improvement in agency operations, policy, and statutes.

 Voters. The quality of responses by elected officials to OIG reviews can be used by citizens in determining their qualifications for office via the election process.

Statutes and Policies – Support for providing oversight
on efficiency and eff effectiveness

Federal. At the federal level, statutes and policies include the following:

• • Federal Managements Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)
  • The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
  • Office of Management and Budgets (OMBs) Circular A-123 – Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control.

The federal government incentivizes citizens to report potential abuses by offering a 10% reward for monies collected. They also have legal protection in place for “whistleblowers.”

State. At the state level (Indiana) statutes and guidance are provided by the Indiana State Board of Accounts  (SBOA).

• • Indiana State Board of Accounts – Internal Control Standards

County. Unfortunately at the County level, the scope of review of internal controls by the State Board of Accounts (SBOA) is primarily focused on finances and not operations. Compliance by county offices is generally voluntary.  This puts the burden on county citizens to expect the county to develop and review internal controls including providing an annual statement of assurance that the controls are adequate.

County Projects.  State and federal offices that are involved in providing funding for county projects are required to have adequate internal controls.

An example of a county project is the Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) – Sewer Expansion – Phase 1 Project.  To initiate a review of the approval-related processes, a formal request has been filed with the Indiana Office of Inspector General (OIG) requesting an assessment of the adequacy of internal controls of the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA), State Revolving Fund (SRF).

• • Complaint – Filed Sept 28, 2023 – Requesting a review of the adequacy of internal controls
    • 20230929 Indiana OIG Complaint BCRSD Project Review and Approvals
  • History and Current Status of the project: BCRSD Sewer Expansion Project on “Trial” – For The Record

Office of Inspector Generals (OIG) – Relevant to the Sewer Project

• • Indiana Office of Inspector General
  • USDA – OIG

Next Level of Review  – Elected Officials

State

• • Senator Eric Koch, District 44.
    • 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 800-382-9467
      or 317-232-9400, Email: Senator.Koch@iga.in.gov
  •  Dave Hall, Representative | District 62

Federal

• • Representative Erin Houchin, House District 9, 321 Quartermaster CourtJeffersonville, Indiana, 47130, 812-288-3999

Updated Oct  21, 2023

Indiana Precinct Committeemen Project

Issues at the county level are not “Red or Blue” and include maintaining roads and bridges, infrastructure (buildings and grounds), department budgeting and operations, financial planning, and police and fire protection.

In 2024, Brown County will have three (3) open seats for the Council and two (2) open seats for Commissioner.  All 11 Republican Precinct Chairs will also be on the ballot. Results from the 2020 primary and general election are provided below.

The Republican primary elections determine the winner in the general election.

All 11 republican precinct chairs will be on the ballot.  The precinct chairs and their vice chairs vote for the party leadership in March. These positions include the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.  The party chair election is on the first Saturday of March in the year following each Presidential election, in other words, March 2025 per state party rule 4-7.

Requirements to Run for Precinct Committeeman (Ref: Power of the Precinct Committeeman)

1. Registered Voter
2. Live in the precinct
3. Be a Republican in good standing (IRSC Rule 1-25)
4. Voted Republican in 2 most recent primary elections in which you voted.
5. Or get a letter from the Republican County Chairman of your county.
6. File Form CAN-37 between Jan 10 and noon on Feb 9, 2024 with your County Clerk (not the Republican County Chairman)
7. Get more votes than the other guy.

The local party leadership influences the selection of candidates and the direction of the county. Brown County Republican Party (GOP) – Organization, Governance, Precincts

Additional Information

• • Brown County Political Culture and Capabilities 
  • Vote County Interests in the 2024 Republican Primary – Cross-over Votes Needed
  • Voting Results – Indiana Elections
  • Brown County Directory – Includes County Government Offices

Current Republican Precinct Chairs and Vice Chairs

• • Hamblen 1: Cynthia Rose Wolpert  (Health Board) / Blake Wolpert (commissioner as of May 2023)
  • Hamblen 2: Mark Bowman (local GOP Chair)/ Tanner Bowman (former paid county intern)
  • Hamblen 3: Phil Stephens (Director, Recycling Center)  / Deborah Noe
  • Jackson 1: Deborah Goodrich / Darren Byrd (councilman)
  • Jackson 2: Diana McDonald Biddle (former commissioner) / Scott Rudd (councilman)
  • Jackson 3: Sandy Higgins (Jackson Township Trustee) / Jamie Voils
  • Jackson 4: Larry Gardner / Herb Ross
  • Washington 1: Dave Redding (councilman) / Keith Baker
  • Washington 2: Mike Magner (Highway Superintendant) / Brandon Magner (Washington Township Trustee)
  • Washington 3: Ted Adams (Prosecutor) / Robyn Rosenberg Bowman (PTABOA Board, Maple Leaf (Music Center) Building Corp board member)
  • Van Buren: Ben Phillips  (Brown County Water Board member) / Brad Stogsdill (Sheriff)

2020 Primary and General Election Votes – Commissioner and Council

Commissioner – 2 Open Seats in 2024 (in yellow)

• Blake Wolpert was selected by Precinct Chairs to replace the vacancy of Chuck Braden

Council – 3 Open Seats in 2024

Republican Precincts – all 11 will be on the 2020 primary ballot 

Brown County Precinct Map – Source https://brownin.wthgis.com/ 

Updated Sep 22, 2023

Brown County Political Culture. Brown County has a one-party monopoly on political power. Power can be corrupting.  A monopoly is a “closed system” that can lead to the corruption of almost everyone who works within it. In other words, Put a good person in a bad system, and the system will win most if not all of the time. 

Political power can be addicting and we do not have a “12-Step program” yet to work towards being  politically “drug free.”

The performance and capability of a  system can be accessed on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best.  Brown County would be rated around a 2.   Supporting evidence of this rating includes the information provided at the recent budget hearings. The current system has resulted in having about $1.5 to $2 million dollars of more spending than revenue which is depleting cash reserves.

• • Brown County Republican Party (GOP) – Organization, Governance, Precincts

An indication of the lack of transparency is neglecting to post meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings. Brown County Agenda Center

Improving the quality of our political system can be supported by transparency and candidates for offices that represent all the people and not just the special interests and those easily addicted to power.

Improvement can be supported by candidates for offices that can identify and define problems and propose solutions. Responsibilities and challenges at the county level are “non-partisan”  and would include areas such as financial and personnel management, infrastructure management to include roads, and bridges, security, courts, property assessments, records, and election management.

Consequently, cross-over votes (Democrats voting in the Republican primary) can help influence the selection of candidates and the direction of the county. Vote County Interests in the 2024 Republican Primary – Cross-over Votes Needed

BCLN – Support Guide – Method and Tools supporting improvement

County Council Meeting Notes: Sept 18, 2023, 6;00 p.m.  County Budget, Financial Status (not good), Voter Integrity

UPDATE: The budget estimates were required to be Published via the “Notice to Taxpayers”. The final budget has not been approved – there is still work to be done.

This post at the Facebook Group – Brown County Matters

Audio of the Meeting.  Discussion on the state of county finances at the beginning of the meeting and election integrity at the end.

Context. We have a one-party monopoly on political power – never proven to be a good thing. The leadership of the local GOP over the last few years has put us in a financial hole. It appears that we may now be at the point where there is consensus to “Stop Digging.”  All 11 republican precinct chairs are up for election in the 2024 primary.  A good time to start identifying candidates that have specific goals and priorities. The precinct chairs and their vice chairs elect the GOP Chair – The current chair is Mark Bowman who has stated he does not support a county political platform.  List of current precincts, chairs, and vice chairs at the following: Brown County Republican Party (GOP) – Organization, Governance, Precincts

County 2024 Budget.  2024 Brown County Budget Notice. 

2021-2025 Actual and Projected Cash Balances –  Combined funds chart-1

Financial State of the County – Not Good.   The first part of the meeting was a presentation on the financial state of the county – not good. Out-of-control spending that the previous commissioner (s) proposed and the previous council approved, put us in a situation where we have $1.5 – to $2 million more expenses than revenues. (1) Current trends in spending indicate that cash reserves will be depleted by 2027 and that we will need to cut about 2 million of pending out of the budget over the next few years.   Health insurance costs are a major contributor and personnel costs are always the largest expense.

(1) Deficit. Does not include unfunded liabilities such as infrastructure costs to include maintenance, repairs, and replacements.  We have to borrow money for these expenses.  This process requires the commissioners and council to agree on specific needs. FINALLY, Commissioner Ron Sanders has taken the lead in developing the capital improvement plan and budget. This is “The Document” that justifies the borrowing – it identifies what is needed and why. Prior to this year, the local GOP has refused to develop this plan – a reason would include that the cost identified would compete with other favored spending projects. Sanders was “not” the preferred candidate of the local GOP – cross-over votes from Democrats helped to get him elected.  Vote County Interests in the 2024 Republican Primary – Cross-over Votes Needed

The Good News?   It appears that the current council and commissioners have a mutual understanding that we have a problem – the first step in “recovery” followed by better leadership.

Election Integrity. A local group of volunteers provided an excellent presentation on improving election integrity and reducing costs.  The county can save approximately $188,000 if we eliminate the voting equipment and transition to manual counting.  The good news is we do use paper ballots but machines are used to tally and transmit the votes. “Hack-proof equipment” has yet to be developed.  The council will need 4 votes to cut the spending. The initiative also is supported by the Republican National Committee (RNC).

The local GOP Chair (Mark Bowman) supports the status quo and equipment-related spending. What is the justification?

Sept 15, 2023. New Nashville  medical building, groundbreaking

This post at Brown County Matters

June 7, 2023 Commissioner Meeting .

• • 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.

Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) Board meeting, Sept 7, 2023

Audio – included the discussion (and criticisms) by BCRSD Board members regarding SRF decisions on the level of funding.

Board Members: Mike Leggins (President), Clint Studabaker (Vice President), Phil LeBlanc ( Treasurer), Richard Hall ( Secretary), Matt Hanlon (At large).

Public Hearing on July 8 – Responses to Questions.  The BCRSD response to questions from the public is expected to be available for review on their website next week at the earliest. A copy will also be forwarded to the State.  Note: Concerns and questions regarding the quality of the responses will likely need to be addressed by other State and Federal offices that can provide an unbiased, objective, and independent assessment of the respective issue (s).

Monroe County Commissioners have asked that the BCRSD boundaries be extended to provide service for their citizens who live on the western end of Lake Lemon.  A significant development that will increase the number of customers in the western corridor.

New  WW Plant Funding.  Helmsburg will be receiving funding to build a new plant that will support the BCRSD Phase 1 Project. The BCRSD will collect the wastewater and Helmsburg will process it.

First Hook-ups – West or East?   The BCRSD will be requesting funding for additional engineering planning and support for Phase 1 which will include easements, acquisitions, and plans at the level of detail (85%) needed to support construction. They will also identify their first collection project with a projected budget of around 8 million. For example, do they hook up customers in the Western Corridor – Helmsburg to Lake Lemon, or the Eastern Corridor – Helmsburg to Bean Blossom, or … do they go a little both ways?   A good bet may be that the more paying customers they can hook-up as fast as possible may be a top vote-getter.

Note that Bean Blossom has been the number one priority in the county by a few for sewer service.

Easements?  Any significant push-back from residents regarding easements may factor into the decision as to direction – West or East.

Federal Funding?  The BCRSD will be meeting with the USDA/Rural Development on Sept 19, 2023, regarding available federal funding. The BCRSD also provided a copy of their PER to USDA/RD.

NEXT Joint Meeting – HRSD and BCRSD. Scheduled for Thursday, Sept 28, 6:00, Brown County Community Foundation. Topic to include the timeline on the Phase I related projects.

In-Process Review (IPR) 2024 Budget Hearings.  Some highlights and a little satire.

This post at Brown County Matters

County Council – Budget Meetings Aug 31, Sept 5 and 6.   I was not aware of the meetings. Broke my streak of attendance at these hearings over the past few years.  At the last budget hearing meeting, it was implied that one or more councilmen would be meeting with the budget consultant but no mention of a continuation of the budget hearings or meetings.  The additional meetings were a good idea but why not also share on the county website, social media, et.al.?

Meeting Notice: I assume a summary of the meetings and any formal vote to approve a budget might be provided at the Sept 18, 2023 council meeting, 6:30 pm, County Office Building (Salmon Room), 201 Locust Lane, Nashville, IN 47448

Open Meeting Laws.  The meetings (Aug 31, Sept 5-6) violated open meeting laws. No Public Notice of the date, time, or place, was posted at the location (Salmon Room) of the meeting. And, it appears, that no councilman or commissioner (many of whom have had multiple terms) was aware of the problem. Notification in the paper or on social media is optional.

Note that We the People must hold elected officials “accountable” for outcomes but “We” retain “responsibility” for their actions.  Voting and forgetting is not an optimum strategy.

• • Presentation Public Meeting Requirements  200819-Shackle-Britt-Presentation-Public-Meeting-Requirements
  • Formal Complaint Form – Pretty easy.

The So What?  Any votes taken at an illegal meeting (unlikely in this case) must be repeated.  This can be done voluntarily or as a result of a formal complaint. The statute of limitation for filing a complaint is only 30 days which introduces a potential for corruption.

Observations – Predictable but not in a good way.  I attend these government budget meetings more as an observer of the system/process looking for signs of life as opposed to the substance which is generally pretty predictable.  Revenues and expenses are underestimated and a “balanced budget” is submitted and approved by the State.  County officials scramble during the year to address budget shortfalls. And in the past, not unusual for funds to be squirreled away in accounts to fund less critical needs.

And then, we repeat the process the following year.  No performance review, no periodic review of projected savings and expenses vs. actual, no urgency on the need to build up the rainy day fund … blah, blah, blah.  The predictable outcome is a result of a monopoly on political power.  Additional information – local political governance.

Signs of life this year?  There are two: (1) Thanks to Councilman Kemp, for the first time in recent county history, we have an accurate accounting and understanding of health insurance funding and costs.

And (2), newlly elected Commissioner Ron Sanders is developing the first ever capital improvement plan and budget. The lack of a plan has been a repeat audit finding from the State Board of Accounts which routinely was ignored by the council and commissioners.

Note this plan identifies unfunded requirements which helps avoid surprises during the year and feeble attempts at “crisis management.”

Sander’s predecessor estimated that a plan would cost us 40K which leads one to wonder if we have been overpaying for other contract support.  Sanders got a list of the assets (over 50k) that the county is insuring and started looking at estimates for repairs and replacement costs. This is the foundation of the plan. No contract support will be needed.  This plan also identifies the money needed from a capital improvement loan. A new loan will be taken out next year – Thankfully, Sanders has the lead on this process and we might only borrow what we need and can afford – this may be a first.

Historical Marker – Go Fund Me.  Satirically speaking, I think these two “signs of life” accomplishments should be recognized with a Historical Marker placed at the main entrance at the county office building or maybe at the historical courthouse. The capital improvement loan process may be added as a future accomplishment.

Suggestions – Budgeting and Accounting.  A basic understanding of fund accounting and the difference between cash vs accrual accounting would be helpful.  A budget and accounting translator would also be useful in converting arcane state budget and accounting language into standard English.   The test of competency is for citizens to understand the process and the effect on the taxes they are paying.   A civics refresher may also be of help. In America, We the People are top management. When a citizen accepts an elected position, their purpose to serve all the citizens and not just their egos or managers of the monopoly.  Vote County Interests in the 2024 Republican Primary – Cross-over Votes Needed