Guest Opinion to be published in the Brown County Democrat, Wednesday, Aug 25, 2019  GUEST OPINION: Septics and sewers — major changes proposed By Tim Clark

In his August 13, 2019 guest opinion column in the Brown County Democrat, What you can learn at the county’s Septic Summit, Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) board member Clint Studabaker reinforced the importance of septic system maintenance and raised issues that should be of concern to all Brown County citizens.

I highly recommend attendance at this educational event on September 3, 5-8, p.m. at the Brown County Fairgrounds.  Given that approximately 90% of residences are on septic systems, education should be a recurring event in the county.  I think we all want a healthy and safe environment as well as elected and appointed leaders that can credibly define the scope and extent of a problem before proposing major changes.

Mr. Studabaker references results from a non-statistically-based survey supported by the Brown County Community Foundation that was conducted in 2008. This survey identified concern for the effectiveness of septics and sewers. He mentions that more information was gathered in 2009 and then used in the “Vision 2020 Plan.”  He then uses this information to infer that there is a need and a problem that could present health issues – an association that is misleading.

For instance, the past two BCRSD board presidents stated publicly that research was needed to determine if there is evidence of a documented need e.g., failed septic systems, in the Bean Blossom area.  Another myth has been in regard to the quality of the water in Cordry and Sweetwater Lakes. Water samples required by the State Board of Health have consistently shown minimal E.Coli in the water. An independent assessment of water quality indicates that the lakes rank as the #2 and #3 clearest lakes in the States indicating that the conservancy’s plan for managing septic systems is proving effective.

Note also the vision 2020 “plan” was a private-sector plan supported by the Community Foundation and the Brown County Partnership. The partnership was dissolved due to lack of participation and commitment from elected representatives. The 2020 plan was not a county comprehensive plan. A county comprehensive plan has to meet state requirements, which includes official public meetings, and approval of the plan by the county commissioners. Approval by the county council for any associated project funding is also a requirement.

Of significant importance is that major changes are being made and proposed for wastewater treatment strategies (sewers and septics) in Brown County that will affect almost “all” residents to include those that are buying and selling homes. This may be great news if you are a realtor, developer or in the septic system business. It may not be so welcome if you are at the low to moderate-income level, have a functional septic systems and/or expect the least intrusion from your government.

Mr. Studabaker is at the forefront of the septic and sewer initiatives – he is the primary leader of the BCRSD board that is proposing a wastewater treatment plant for Bean Blossom. He is also a member of the committee that worked on the proposed new septic ordinance. Mr. Studabaker has also written a grant proposal for a Wastewater Infrastructure Strategic Plan for the county which if accepted, can be a useful document if it follows accepted practices for fact-based analysis.

The Bean Blossom sewer project is now projected to be operational in 2021 – much longer than anticipated when the project was first announced at the BCRSD board meeting on June 19, 2018.   The board has spent approximately $170,000 of the $270,000 of “seed money” provided by the county council. The BCRSD has yet to acquire land and the latest strategy has been trying to acquire land deeded to Parks and Recreation. The letter to the Parks and Recreation Board from Ladd Engineering included the requirement to provide information on the Uniform Relocation Act of 1970: When a Public Agency Acquires Your Property. The brochure provides guidance on the government’s power to invoke eminent domain.  Some elected officials have also expressed a desire to withhold funding if Parks and Recreation did not approve a land transfer.

Parks and Recreation rescinded their vote to approve a transfer of land for a wastewater treatment plant. There may also be legal issues associated with a transfer that would also result in additional clear-cutting of the proposed site. Eminent domain is the tool that can be used to acquire “private” land “if ” a project is considered to be an important public good. Nashville used eminent domain to acquire the land for their sewer plant.

I continue to be concerned over the lack of due diligence and transparency on the Bean Blossom sewer project. Due diligence includes defining the scope and extent of the problems before proposing solutions. On the issue of transparency, I had to submit a formal complaint with the State to obtain public records from the BCRSD board. I recently made a follow-up complaint with the public access counselor who is working on the issue which involves a simple request – a review of the list that contains the names of the customers. The BCRSD board also promised a website in June of 2018 that would be used to keep the citizens updated on the ongoing status of the project – a website that is not yet available.

A review of the proposed septic ordinance indicates that it is too similar to the last two attempts and I will recommend that this revision should also be rejected by the public.

Fortunately and due to Mr. Studabaker’s initiative, the State Regionalization Assistance Program has recently approved the application for a $30,000 grant by the Helmsburg and the Brown County RSDs to conduct a regionalization study to identify the best options for the county in regard to wastewater treatment and location of plants. Completion of this study is due by the end of the year.

Mr. Studabaker has an impressive private sector resume. However, when you are using taxpayer dollars to fund projects, expectations and standards of performance are much higher in the public sector. Standards include transparency, comprehensive planning, due diligence, and earning the trust, respect, and confidence of the community.  Major mistakes in the private sector can lead to firings, lawsuits, and bankruptcies. Similar mistakes in the public sector often result in higher taxes, less revenue for projects with a valid need and a citizenry that lacks trust in local government.

I hope you can attend the Septic Summit and will also stay informed on the sewer and septic issues and proposed changes. How these issues are addressed will have significant impacts on our quality of life as well as on the cost of living in Brown County.

Tim J. Clark
Tim J. Clark of Brown County is a quality improvement practitioner, educator and author who specializes in the public sector. He is a senior member of the American Society for Quality has master’s degrees in strategic studies and public administration. He has served on the Brown County Redevelopment Commission and on the Brown County Schools Strategic Planning Committee. He can be reached at tjclark2036@gmail.com.

More Info: Timeline on the project – Regional Sewer Board – Bean Blossom Sewer Project – For the Record

The county’s health insurance is self-funded over budget on a yearly basis.   Brown County Schools have a plan that is resulting in savings.

Indiana Code 5-10-8-2.6. Local unit public employers and employees; programs; self-insurance; payment of part of cost; noncancelability; retired employees

Aug 16, 2021. Council approved an additional $250,000 for Health Insurance Expenses and another $35,000 for a Wellness Incentive Program.  Additional subsidies are expected before the end of the year.

Oct 29, 2020.  BCD. Health insurance not increasing for school employees

• Post: Brown County Matters.  “For the third year in a row, Brown County Schools employees will not see an increase in their insurance premiums.” The County has a different and self-insured plan that may be among the best in America (high quality, low cost) from an employee standpoint. However, the county plan comes with higher risks and costs that routinely exceed budgeted amounts: Over $500,000 in 2020; over $650,000 in 2019, and over $700,000 in 2018. The current contract with some changes has been extended for one year and expires in 2021.

Sep 22, 2020.  Council moves $500,000 to pay health insurance for rest of year By Suzannah Couch

Sep 15, 2020. BCD. COUNTY NEWS: Health insurance changes; 

• At the Sept. 3 meeting, Stinson estimated the total cost savings with implementing the strategies could be around $310,000. But the biggest savings could be seen when reinsurance quotes are received later this fall in October.
• “The reinsurance is the real costly part of our plan,” commissioner Diana Biddle said.

Oct 1, 2019.  Council OKs transferring $650,000 to health trust fund Staff Reports

Nov 16, 2018.  Access to health care expands: Clinic now open 5 days with county, schools on board

“By opening the clinic at Eagle Park, Hammack said the impact on the school district’s health insurance fund has been “profound.”   “We are sitting right now with a health insurance fund of a little over $700,000. It’s an extraordinary thing,” she said. “… It’s almost a million and a half dollars that is a total amount saved. That’s massive in this short amount of time.”

• County government’s health insurance fund has been stretched as well. For 2018, the county has had to appropriate almost a million dollars to help cover health insurance, including $800,000 just in September.

Aug 10, 2018, SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER: Health care spending decreasing for school district By LAURA HAMMACK, guest columnist

• When the school board and I first began working together in July of 2016,  one of the first areas of concern that we identified was the cost of health insurance benefits and the subsequent negative impact on our budget.
• Before we made changes to our plan, our district had a massive deficit in the health insurance fund. We were in a situation where we had to make substantial lump sum payments to our “third-party administrator” (TPA) to catch up on bills that were due.
• We have “lived” our new plan for just over one year. I am thrilled to share that the results have been extraordinarily positive. We have moved from a situation of paying annual lump sum payments totaling over a half a million dollars to pay the bills to a situation where we have a reserve of well over the same. This translates into a million-dollar impact in just one year.

Jan 9, 2018.  Healthy outlook: Community health clinic set to open on school property

• All people — whether they’re associated with the school district or not — will be able to use the services at Brown County Health and Wellness Center through a membership arrangement, Brown County Schools Superintendent Laura Hammack said.
• School district employees will have access to the clinic through their medical coverage, while the general public can pay for a membership to the clinic in what’s known as the direct-primary care model. Memberships are month to month and can be canceled at any time.

May 9, 2017.  SCHOOL NEWS: Health insurance costs; personnel changes

• Brown County Schools employees and retirees will be paying more for health insurance next year.
• In addition to the new premiums, the school board also approved a contract with Anthem for a Brown County Schools Health Benefit Trust. The trust will allow the school district to build up money to be used for emergency medical situations by raising premiums and school board contributions, Superintendent Laura Hammack said.
• Previously, those types of emergency medical bills were paid for out of the general fund, which has a deficit of more than $1 million.
• Premiums for a single person with a $1,000 deductible increase from $132.80 to $139.44, based on 18 pays. A single retiree with a $1,000 deductible will pay a $371.85 premium compared to $231.92 premium in May 2016 after VEBA Bridge Coverage.

Aug 17, 2021. COUNTY NEWS: Policies approved; sign ordinance sent back; county health insurance review requested By Staff Reports

• The cost to provide medical health insurance to county employees was about $1.8 million for 2016, commissioner Diana Biddle said.
• Biddle said prior to establishing the health trust fund — which went live in July and pays health insurance claims — it was difficult to determine the total expenses associated with providing health insurance “because reinsurance would come back and it would go in to county general fund. It wasn’t really refunding our insurance.”“That was one of the main reasons we went with the health insurance trust fund, which keeps (almost) everything in one pot of money, so we can actually see where it’s going and match the numbers up,” she said.

  The hope is that the health trust fund will also develop a cash reserve to help pay expenses during years when the county has high amounts of medical bills, Brown County Auditor Beth Mulry said.

Brown Brown County Investment Policy

County Treasurers Monthly Report June 30, 2019

Brown County Treasurers Daily Balance as of June 30 2019

The amounts listed in the Treasurers reports identify funds that are obligated.

March 18, 2019. Brown County IN Comprehensive Financial Plan 2016-2021

Aug 8, 2019. Brown County Treasurer – Mary Smith – Facebook Post and comments on the status of investments

Nov 21, 2021. Brown County Matters – Facebook Post – Brown County’s Elusive BIGFOOT

• Brown County’s ELUSIVE BIGFOOT. The Septic Summit is to be re-scheduled. The reported “sitings” that started over “20 years ago” are of allegedly failing septic systems that “everyone knows” about but apparently has done nothing about. Pump and Haul is always an option as is providing any help residents may need regarding maintenance, repairs, and replacement. But would this have led to the required justification to build a new sewer plant in Bean Blossom that might benefit the few at the expense of the many? The proposed Bean Blossom Plant is on “pause” pending a review of other options. Over $200,000 was spent by the BCRSD on “planning” and they have yet to acquire land. There is ongoing work to study expanding the Helmsburg Plant to include providing support for the Lake Lemon area and Bean Blossom. The Lake Lemon area DOES have failing systems in flooding conditions and residents have identified a valid need for sewer service and unlike other areas, are supportive. The Big Foot sightings have also motivated the Nashville Utility Service Board (USB) to plan to expand their sewer service to surrounding areas. Any conflicts of interest?

POSTPONED. Nov 19, 2021, GUEST OPINION: All are invited to septic summit this week

• • Nov 16, 2021 BCD Facebook.  Brown County Regional Sewer District’s Septic Summit 2.0 originally set for Thursday, Nov. 18 has been CANCELED. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

Sep 24, 2019 Questions and answers from the Septic Summit by Sara Clifford

• • • BC Matters Facebook post of the article and comments
• BC Democrat Facebook Post of the article and comments

CAUTION: A long post in response to the Guest Opinion article.   I highly recommend attendance at this educational event.  Given that approximately 90% of residences are on septic systems, education should be a recurring event in the county.   I think we all want a healthy and safe environment as well as leaders that can credibly define the scope and extent of a problem before forcing solutions. However ….

Mr. Studabaker references results from a NON-statistically based “survey” conducted in 2008 with more information gathered in 2009 and then used in the Vision 2020 “Plan.”  He then uses this non-statistically valid information to infer that there is a need and a “problem” that “could” present a health issue – an association that is misleading.  For instance, the past two Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) Board presidents stated publically that there was no evidence of a documented need e.g., failed septic systems, in the Bean Blossom area.  Another myth has been in regard to the quality of the water in Cordry and Sweetwater Lakes.  Water samples indicate that there is not a problem and the conservancy’s plan for managing septic systems is proving effective.

Note also the vision 2020 “plan” was a private-sector plan supported by the community foundation and the Brown County Partnership. The partnership was dissolved (2016?) due to lack of participation. The 2020 plan was not a county comprehensive plan that has to meet state requirements, requires public meetings, approval by the county commissioners and approval by the county council for any associated project funding.

Of SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE is that major changes are being made and proposed for wastewater treatment strategies (sewers and septics) in Brown County that will affect almost ALL residents to include those that are buying and selling homes. Great if you are a realtor, developer or in the septic system business. Not so great if you are at the low to moderate-income level and/or expect the least intrusion from your government.

Mr. Studabaker is at the forefront of the septic/sewer initiatives – he is a member and primary leader of the BCRSD Board that is proposing a wastewater treatment plant for Bean Blossom. He is also a member of the committee that worked on the proposed new septic ordinance and has written a grant proposal for a Wastewater Infrastructure Strategic Plan for the county.

The Bean Blossom sewer project is now projected to be in operation approximately 1-2 years over the initial projection and is likely over budget. The BCRSD has yet to acquire land and the latest strategy is/has been trying to acquire land (under threat of eminent domain) deeded to Parks and Recreation. Does the public support this idea?  Eminent domain is the tool that can that be used to acquire “private” land “IF” a project is considered to be an important public good. Nashville used eminent domain to acquire the land for their sewer plant.

I continue to be concerned over the lack of due diligence and transparency on the Bean Blossom sewer project. Due diligence includes defining the scope and extent of the problems before proposing solutions. On the issue of transparency, I had to submit a formal complaint with the State to obtain public records from the BCRSD board. I recently made a follow-up complaint with the public access counselor who is working on the issue which involves a simple request – a review of the list that contains the names of the customers. The BCRSD board also promised a website in June of 2018 that would be used to keep the citizens updated on the ongoing status of the project – the website has yet to be developed.

Proposed Septic System Ordinance.  A review of the proposed septic ordinance indicates that similar to the last two attempts, this revision should also be rejected by the public.

Mr. Studabaker has an impressive private sector resume. However, when you are using taxpayer dollars to fund projects, expectations and standards of performance are much higher in the public sector. Standards include transparency, comprehensive planning, due diligence, and earning the trust, respect, and confidence of the community.  Major mistakes in the private sector can lead to firings, lawsuits, and bankruptcies. Similar mistakes in the public sector often result in higher taxes, less revenue for projects with a valid need and a citizenry that lacks trust in local government.

I hope you can attend the education sessions on septic systems and will also stay informed on the sewer/septic issues. These issues will have a significant impact on our quality of life and the cost of living in Brown County.

Tim J. Clark
Co-Administrator Facebook Group – Brown County Matters

More Information – context and details

• Regional Sewer Board – Bean Blossom Sewer Project – For the Record
• Proposed New Septic Ordinance – For the Record.
• Letter to Editor – Brown County Democrat. Collaboration and Conflict – County Sewer Boards  Letter submitted Aug 14, 2019, to the Brown County Democrat for the Aug 21, 2019 edition in response to the article by Sara Clifford published in the Aug 13, 2019 edition of the Democrat  “No resolution yet to Helmsburg sewer board questions.” …  The article described a classic example of what can go wrong when the focus of a major project is not on what is best for the county.
• RAP Grant – Regionalization Study – Helmsburg and Brown County RSDs
• Septic System Education – Sept 3 Summit

Letter submitted Aug 14, 2019, to the Brown County Democrat for the Aug 21, 2019 edition ‘County needs ‘collaboration, not scapegoating’

My response to constructive criticism that I received about the letter

Letter:  The article by Sara Clifford published in the Aug 13, 2019 edition of the Democrat  “No resolution yet to Helmsburg sewer board questions” described a classic example of what can go wrong when the focus of a major project is not on what is best for the county.

Recently, the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District (RSD) had to increase rates to their customers to $92.50. This increase along with a plan from the Brown County RSD that initially ignored Helmsburg led to a situation that exacerbated tensions and contributed to the scapegoating of two members of the Helmsburg RSD.

The Helmsburg and Brown County RSDs submitted applications and recently received a grant for a regionalization study.  This grant provided through the Regionalization Assistance Program (RAP) provides a total of $30,000 that will result in a study that will help identify the best solutions for the region.  This is a needed and long overdue study and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.  Ethel Morgan, from Hometown Engineering LLC was selected to complete the study.

At their August 13, 2019 board meeting, the Brown County RSD identified that they have spent over $170,000 of the $270,000 provided by the county council. They have yet to acquire land and have supported and applied pressure that included the threat of eminent domain to acquire land deeded to Parks and Recreation. They also acknowledged significant delays with their Bean Blossom sewer project. The status of this project reinforces the problems that are created when you force a solution before you build community support by first identifying the scope and extent of the problems.

The Brown County RSD has applied for a Ready Community grant that may result in a $100,000 planning grant for a Wastewater Infrastructure Strategic Plan. If this grant is received, it may also help to identify the best wastewater treatment options for the county but only “if” the scope of this study includes validating the needs based on facts and not speculation, opinions, and anecdotes.

Benjamin Franklin remarked that “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Collaboration along with plans that identify the scope and extent of the problems leads to better solutions, less conflict, and more effective use of taxpayer money. Should elected officials direct a delay in any further expenditure of taxpayer funds until the RAP study is completed? Would a further delay on spending be warranted pending the status on the application and completion of the Wastewater Infrastructure Strategic Plan?

Tim J. Clark

Regional Assistance Program (RAP) – Regionalization Study

Ethel Morgan, owner of Hometown Engineering LLC was selected by the State to complete the regionalization study funded by the Regional Assistance Program (RAP).

BCRSD and HRSD – Joint Meetings. BCD Feb 24, 2021. All options on table: regional sewer plan being discussed.

Mar 10, 2020. Presentation of the Final Report

• RAP Study Presentation Ethel Morgan

Feb 25, 2020. Democrat. The Bean Blossom-Helmsburg sewer regionalization report is out. Here’s what it said. By Sara Clifford

• Summary: “Based on the analysis completed in this report, it appears that is most cost-effective to construct two regional plants to serve the areas under consideration. Table 6-11, following provide the cost and effective analysis of the various alternative combinations considered.”

Note that anytime an analyst uses the term “assessment”, it implies additional work is needed. The next steps would include the development and review of a strategic plan (WIP) and the development of a decision-support matrix. These processes also should include public meetings to gather citizen input on the process.

• More Information and Examples – Decision Support Matrix

Proposed Scope of Services BCRSD and Helmsburg RSD – Hometown Engineering LLC.

• Brown County RSD grant application
• Helmsburg RSD – grant application –

More information – Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) – Bean Blossom Sewer Project — For the Record

This regionalization study will not include recommendations.  At the  Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) board meeting on Aug 13, 2019,  Ethel introduced herself and highlighted some examples of the work she has completed.   One example was the project for New London in Howard County.

Note: The New London Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), was not written as a regionalization study.  It was written to identify options for the community to address the failing wastewater treatment plant.  The study that is being completed for the for BCRSD and Helmsburg RSD will have some of the same types of information, but will not necessarily have all the same information. The RAP grant is fairly new, and there have only been a handful of reports funded.  – Ethel Morgan – Hometown Engineering LLC

• Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for the New London WWTP,  Howard County, Indiana presented to: Howard County Commissioners and the Town of Russiaville.
  • New London PER_Part1
    • Sanitary sewers and a wastewater treatment plant were constructed in New London in 1995. At that time, the New London Conservancy District was established to own, operate and maintain the wastewater facilities. In 2013, the District was formally dissolved and the Town of Russiaville took over the ownership and operation of the utility.
    • The wastewater treatment plant in New London is reaching the end of its useful  life. The tankage is metal, and has started rusting. Holes in the tankage have recently been repaired. The walkway and handrails are unsafe, and some of the piping has rusted through. Many of the air diffusers are non-operational.
    • This report outlines, from an engineering perspective, the options for addressing these issues. Once the options are evaluated, a selected plan and associated budget that include pursuing funding from State Revolving Loan Program (SRF) and/or USDA Rural Development (RD) and a proposed project schedule are presented.
  • New London PER_Part2
  • New London PER_Part3_Part1
  • New London PER_Part3_Part2
  • New London PER_Part4_Part1
  • New London PER_Part4_Part2

• Allegation.  An assertion made with little or no proof.
• Association Fallacy.  An association fallacy is an informal inductive fallacy of the hasty-generalization or red-herring type and which asserts, by irrelevant association and often by appeal to emotion, that qualities of one thing are inherently qualities of another. Two types of association fallacies are sometimes referred to as guilt by association and honor by association. (Wikipedia)
• Fact . An event, item of information, or state of affairs existing, observed, or known to have happened, and which is confirmed or validated to such an extent that it is considered ‘reality.’
• Imply. Imply to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated; Inferred from circumstances; known indirectly.
• Infer. To derive as a conclusion from facts or premises.
• Evidence.
  • A thing or things helpful in forming a conclusion or judgment: The broken window was evidence that a burglary had taken place. Scientists weigh the evidence for and against a hypothesis.
  • Something indicative; an outward sign: evidence of grief on a mourner’s face.
  • Law The documentary or oral statements and the material objects admissible as testimony in a court of law.
• Hearsay. Unverified, unofficial information gained or acquired from another and not part of one’s direct knowledge.
• Opinion. A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
• Truth.  Conforming to fact or actuality;  A statement proven to be accepted or true.
• Data are facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.
• Assumption. A  thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.
• Speculation. Ideas or guesses about something that is not known.
• Conjecture. Inference formed without proof or sufficient evidence.
• Anecdotal.  Not necessarily true or reliable; based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.

Questions and answers from the Septic Summit By Sara Clifford -9/24/19 9:48 AM  Facebook post of the article.

The Septic Summit will be held Tuesday evening, Sept. 3, 2019, at the 4-H fairgrounds. The equipment show will be open from 5 to 6 p.m. The expert panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session will begin at 6 p.m. until about 8 p.m. 

Sep 5, 2019. Septic System Summit. – Very Informative.  My BCM Facebook post on key points.    Handouts from the Summit:

• What is an On-Site Septic System (OSS)  failure and what to do
• Increasing the Longevity of Your Septic System
• Cleaning an OSS
• Keep the dirty dozen out of your OSS
• Operating and Maintaining an OSS
• EPA Homeowners’ Guide to Septic Systems
• RCAP Brochure – Rural Community Assistance Program
• EPA Septic System Handouts – Misc

Aug 25, 2019.  BCD, GUEST OPINION:  Septics and Sewers -major changes proposed, by Tim J. Clark

Aug 13, 2019. BCD GUEST OPINION: What you can learn at the county’s Septic Summit by Clint Studabaker

Aug 6, 2019. BCD, Letter: Mark calendars for Septic Summit in September by Clint Studabaker, member Brown County Regional Sewer District board.

Aug 3, 2019.  BCD, GUEST OPINION: How much do you know about your septic system? By Kara Hammes.

• Kara Hammes serves on the Area Plan Commission (APC) and the Parks and Rec Board

• May 21, 2019. BCD. Meet the new Brown County Purdue Extension educators, Staff Reports.  Kara Hammes -Health and Human Services/Agriculture and Natural Resources.   Kara Hammes is the new Health and Human Sciences & Ag and Natural Resources Extension educator for Brown County.

• Mar 19, 2019. A new agent has joined the Brown County Real Estate team – Kara Hammes
• Aug  21, 2018. Septic ordinance committee expands, adds members By Sara Clifford
  • The applicants were Richard Hall, an attorney; Kara Hammes, who has a background in public health and is a licensed real estate agent; Randy Jones, a retired environmental health specialist from Henry County; Brad Williamson, who works in environmental management for the Indiana Department of Transportation and is a real estate agent; Russ Herndon, a member of the Brown County Area Plan Commission; and Clint Studabaker, a member of the Brown County Regional Sewer District board and retired environmental and civil engineer.

  • May 29, 2018. Town considering tax abatement for small business

    • Kara and Clint Hammes of Nashville approached the Nashville Redevelopment Commission and the Nashville Town Council in May to ask for the abatement. … Their plan is to raze the Barnyard Shoppes buildings at 185 S. Jefferson St. and replace them with a two-story, multi-use building. Their business plan includes having a rentable commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs to share and an indoor play space for young children on the lower level, and office or residential space on the second level. … They plan to invest close to $500,000 in the new building.

Additional Information

• Brown County citizen Brandy Russell shares her research on information to know about Septic Systems –  Do you know your Septic 2019_06_27 Author Bandy Russell

• Sep/Oct 2019. Proposed New Septic Ordinance – For the Record

• Regional Sewer Board – Bean Blossom Sewer Project – For the Record

• Example – Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District Free Septic System Workshop

Updated July 23, 2019

The Brown County Leader Network is an initiative that was created from Brown County’s participation in the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Hometown Collaborative initiative (HCI).

Concept Walk Through – Brown County Leader Network 2020_05_15

Status:  We are currently in the process of validating the proof of concept (prototypes) that includes working with volunteers on developing their initiatives and programs.

• COVID-19 – Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD)
  • 2020_04_11 COAD Stakeholder Community – WIP
  • COAD RASCI Matrix 2020_04_11 – WIP
  • Applied example – WIP – Jackson Township

What we do – the Plan:   Promote the success of Brown County nonprofit groups and organizations, raise awareness of their positive contributions to our quality of life, support and help recruit volunteers, provide support and a collaborative leadership approach to improvement through application of proven practices, methods, and tools.

Support Services and Process –  2019_02_07 BCLN Guide of Support Services

• Four Common Components in any success story
• Getting Started
• Stakeholder Community – Identification and Analysis
• Program Assessment – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT)
• Community Decision-Making Process
• Strategic Planning
• Project Planning
• Annual Report
• Success Stories

Why we do it:   To develop  “a more perfect” (better) county that strives to address the needs and respects the values of our citizens.

• The U.S. system of government was designed to be continually improved through actions that result in “a more perfect Union.”  We the People are “top management.”  Positive change at the local level will contribute to needed change at the State and National levels.

Communication Strategy — Website (WIP) and Brown County Democrat newspaper

General Information:

• 2020 Goals – Develop 6-8 Projects – Publish Results;  Develop a website.
  • Offer Monthly Presentations and Workshops – Career Resource Center (CRC)
  • Complete by-laws, apply for 501c(3) status.

Additional and Supporting Information and Initative

• Community Development – New Initiative Launch – Jan 30 – Feb 1, 2020
  • Community Engagement for Collective Action Toolbox
  • Community Engagement 2010_Resource_Guide
• Articles of Incorporation. 1040645 State Approved Articles of Incorporation Brown County Leaders Connecting Leaders.  We are Doing Business as (DBA) Brown County Leader Network (BCLN)