Category Archives: Uncategorized

10 Secluded Towns Lost in the Hills of Indiana’s Rugged Brown County Region

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10 Secluded Towns Lost in the Hills of Indiana’s Rugged Brown County Region By Jon Dykstra, 2025-02-25

Tucked away in the rolling hills and thick woodlands of southern Indiana, Brown County is a haven for those seeking solitude, scenic beauty, and a touch of history. With winding backroads leading to forgotten hamlets, hidden valleys, and forested retreats, this region is filled with secluded communities that feel worlds away from modern life.

    • Elkinsville, Cornelius, Gatesville, Stone Head, Trevlac, Gnaw Bone, Helmsburg, Bean Blossom, Story, Nashville

Plus :

10 Secluded Towns Nestled in Remote Regions of Indiana’s ‘Little Smokies’ ByJon Dykstra

    • Freetown
    • Norman
    • Kurtz
    • Mounty Liberty

 

County Council Meeting Notes, Feb 18, 2025.

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Agenda Council February 18, 2025  

AUDIO of the Meeting

This post at Brown County Matters.

Appointments. Judy Wright-Simpson was appointed to PTBOA. Sue Lindberg was re-appointed to the RDC. David Couke was also appointed to the RDC.

Surveyor Salary Increase.  A licensed surveyor is entitled to 1.5 % higher pay than a non-licensed surveyor.

2024 Salary Ordinance. Tabled pending analysis of the Sheriff’s Department’s stipend reconciliations.

Revenue from the Innkeeper’s Tax. Councilman Rudd is leading the council’s effort to increase the innkeepers’ tax from 5  to 8 percent. The intent is for 3% to fund public safety and to reimburse the county for visitor-related expenses that include sheriff and emergency service support provided to the state park, accidents, arrests, prosecutions, et al.

In order to specifically explain how the revenue from the innkee[pers tax can be spent, it will require changes to the Indiana Code, Title 6. Taxation Article 9. Innkeeper’s Taxes; Other Local Taxes; Chapter 14, Brown County’s Innkeepers Tax.

How the money can be spent. In addition to promoting tourism, the revenue from the innkeepers’ tax can be used for other county-related expenses and investments.

For example, in Tippecanoe County, revenue is designated for quality of life purposes, including (1) mixed-use development projects, (2) quality public spaces, (3) multiple transportation options, (4) multiple housing options, (5) revitalization of historic, blighted, or vacant properties; (6) arts, culture, and creativity; and (7) recreation and green spaces.

 Council Requited Budget Reviews. Chapter 14 identifies the council’s financial responsibility to review and approve how the revenue from the innkeepers’ tax will be spent.  This can include banking some of the revenue pending the needed changes in the statutes.

County Council Special Meeting, Feb 6, 2025, 9 to noon

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These meetings are scheduled on the First Thursday of every month from 9am to noon.

The council appears to have  progressed to the “Norming Stage” of team dynamics,

Council agreed on Jim Kemps’s proposal on a “Pathway to Financial Stability.”   Kemp agreed to lead the Financial Committee, which includes Councilman Huett, Rudd,  Commissioner Clark, and consultants from Reedy Financial Services

It is generally understood that it may take up to 10 years for the county to get their financial house in order. 

Commissioner Meeting Notes, Feb 5, 2025

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This post at Brown County Matters

Agenda Commissioner Meeting Feb 5, 2025 

Audio of the Meeting

  • Habitat for Humanity Proposed Project
    • 47.626 Acre Parcel
      • Divide the parcel into a maximum of 22 lots. Construct a maximum of 22 new homes in 7 years.
      • 3 Homes/Year (Years 1 – 6);  4 Homes in Year 7
      • Avg 1200 – 1500 sq ft per home
      • 3-Bed/2 Bath OR 4-Bed/2 Bath
      • Dependent upon selected families
      • Avg Appraisal Estimate: $240k – $300k +/- 
      • Approximately 1,350’ of “Old County Road #2” be added back onto the Brown County Highway Department’s roadway inventory.

Appointments – Boards and Commissions

Correction:  Letter of interest for board and commissioner appointments.  Andi Bartels applied for a CVC position – not the RDC.

  • CVC – Andy Szakaly and Jimmie Tilton – appointed by the previous Board of Commissioners and chose to remain on the CVC. Previous commissioners did not advertise the openings or consider all those who applied.
  • RDC: Jeremiah Reichmann, Chris Schneider, Alyn Brown
    • Correction: Andi Bartels applied for a CVC position – not the RDC.
  • Alcohol Beverage Commission  (ABC) – Appointment of Mathew Nelson.
  • Community Corrections – No applicants
  • Parks and Rec Board – Kyle Wagers
  • Property Tax Board of Appeals (PTBOA) – No applicants. Desired capabilities include experience in property appraisals.

Superintendant Report.BCHD Monthly Report

Brown County Republican GOP, Mar 1, 2025 Elections

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Indiana Secretary of State – “Who’s On The Ballot” – Identify your District, Precinct, Township …
 
 
Your Precinct and District? The county GIS Map has a “layer” that identifies voter precincts. To identify Commissioner Districts, select “Index” and then County Commissioner Districts. 

Jan 31, 2025.  This post at Brown County Matters

Local Politics. Do you know the names of your PC and VPC? Do they live in your precinct? What happens on March 1, 2025?

There are 11 political precincts in Brown County. Republican Precinct Committeemen (PC) are elected in the primary in presidential election years. The Democrat elections for their precinct committeemen are in the off-years.

Elections for new officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) in the Brown County GOP are March 1, 2025. Precinct (PC) and Vice Precinct Committee (VPC) members are allowed to vote.

The Chair can and does appoint PC and VPCs” to fill vacancies, and these individuals do not have to live in the precinct. Although PCs can select their VPCs, many allow the Chair to make the appointments, thus stacking the deck to help control who gets elected
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Vacancies – Elected Offices. Only PCs vote to fill a vacancy in an elected office. Blake Wolpert received 7/11 votes to fill the Commissioner Vacancy when Chuck Braden resigned.

So what? The Chair can influence who should run for office, be appointed to boards and commissions, who should even get county government jobs, and …. be considered “In Good Standing.” 🙂

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Meeting notes, Jan 29, 2025, 5pm to 8pm+ – Tilton Projects

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Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meeting notes, Jan 29, 2025 – 5pm to 8pm+

 

Agenda: January-29-2025-BZA-Agenda

AUDIO of the meeting

Tilton Travel Trailer (RV) Park. Jimmie Tilton withdrew the project due to lack of public support. His actions were appreciated by the residents. It looked like it was also not going to be approved – an RV Travel Trailer Park is not permitted in a “Flood Plan District” that includes the Flood Fringe and Floodway.

Tilton Private Recreation Development (PRD). This was also denied on a vote of 4 to 1. Not enough detail was presented for the BZA to assess the effect on the surrounding areas. BZA encouraged that he re-submit but provide more specifics as to how the area was going to be used.