AUDIO of the Meeting

This post at Brown County Matters

10 2 2024 Agenda Commissioners

Audio of the Meeting

20240917 Meeting Agenda for September 17, 2024

Pre-Meeting Notes: 20240917 RDC Pre-Meeting Notes

• • Add: “Year-in-Review and Next Steps.”  This should support the content for the annual report and would represent our “strategy.” 
  • We have agreed to an EDA concept that was pioneered by Helmsburg.  This can be used in support of  the development of the County Comprehensive Plan. A consultant for the Comp Plan was selected on Sept 5. The plan will be completed in phases. Phase I is funded for about  37K. About 26K of this needs to be committed/spent by the end of the year.  Total cost to complete the plan was estimated at 80K.
  • Commissioners, Council, and the APC need to be briefed on the EDA concept.  Commissioners, Council and Precint chairs represent “areas.”  The county zoning map identifies the types of zoning in a respective area. This information needs to include the type of development that is allowed for each zoning category.
  • Bill – On “Minutes,”  you reference an assumption that an EDA is only successful if there is a TIF.  An EDA includes a community-developed economic plan. Portions of the Helmsburg plan were executed with private money and investment from Habitat.  The EDA and plan also provided the foundation (shared vision) for their CDC. An EDA supports funding from the county (they got about 5K) and allows the RDC to acquire and dispose of property. The EDA also supported the justifification for funding for the storm water project.

Prior RDC Meeting Notes in 2024

• • RDC Meeting Notes Aug
  • RDC Meeting Notes July
  • RDC Meeting Notes June
  • RDC Meeting Notes and Audio, May 21, 2024 – TIF.   Provides an introduction to the agreements made at this meeting.
  • RDC Meeting Notes, Apr 16, 2024, TIFs, Nashville USB
  • 20240416 TIF Handbook OCRA Kevin Allen/Consultant/Contractor  also mentioned that a TIF District could be cr

AUDIO of the Meeting

• • 00:09:25  Brown County Historical Society – Funding Help Pioneer Village. The buildings belong to the county.  Until recently, the county never had a capital improvement plan to identify funding needs for repairs.  HOWEVER, revenue from the innkeepers tax can be used for projects that support  tourism — the Pioneer Village certainly fits within this category.
  • 03:35 (Ron Sanders) and at 25:40 (Jevin Allen. Gnaw Bone – Regional Sewer District – need for major repairs/upgrades.
  • 44:15:00 -include discussion on Bridges, including Elkinsville
    • 20240918 Highway Superintendent Report
  • 1:01:57 Indian Hill Re-Opening Discussion – Mike Moga, Kevin Allen
    • Sep 16, 2024.  INDOT 12-Month Extension_DOT-RR-2494_Indian Hill.Brown County_Signed_9-16-2024. The 12-Month Extension to Cause No DOT-RR-2494 grants an extension of time until September 29, 2025, to commence work on the train-activated warning devices as described in the original Order dated September 29, 2023. The county is also applying for a federal grant to help with the costs of re-opening.

Agenda – Below

• AUDIO of the Meeting
• Agenda County Council Mtg 20240916 

Budgets. Short hearing on budgets submitted by Solid Waste, Hamblen VFD, and the county. Additional work in needed for the county budget that must be completed by Oct 21.

• • 1:32:53 Next Budget Working Session – Oct 3, 9am-12.  Insightful discussion on the budget process and the need for improvement.   Typically, the process includes  underestimating revenues and expenses 
  • Jim Kemp: 1:45:50 – Summary on the challenges with the process and the need for improvement.

Stipend — 11.2 % for four employees. Employees who are receiving a retirement check from PERF receive an 11.2 percent contribution to their retirement savings plan. This was not allowed under IRS rules.  Council approved a “stipend.” 

15:30 – 1:23:45. Excellent presentation on the mental health-related challenges and needs. Centerstone was asked to provide a proposed budget (over 200k) for mental health-related support. Additional stakeholders supported the request. These included the Foundation, School, Judge, and Sheriff. The county does not have the money in the budget. However, the Health Department “may have” 126K that could be used “if” approved by the County Health Board.

• • 20240916 Brown County Mental Health Safety Net Proposal
    • Option 1: Children’s Mental Health Safety Net:  $112,500
      
      
    • Option 1: Adult Mentalealth Safety Net: $112,500
      
      
    • Option 2: Safety Net Care Specialist: $112, 500
    • Option 2: Safety Net Recovery Coach: $112,500

1:29:49  New Health Insurance Contract. The county switched administrators from SIHO to Anthem. SIHO was acquired by another company that was aligned with Community Health as opposed to IU.  Maybe some cost savings. We budgeted 1.8 million. brief discussion on last years budget and projected costs.  

Last updated: Sep 23, 2024

Sep 23, 2024.  Link to registration for sessions on Oct 3, 2024 at the Seasons Lodge. This post at Brown County Matters

Sep 20, 2024.  Planned future sessions – Post at Brown County Matters. This post at Brown County Matters

Basic Facts, including roles and responsibilities:

2023 Indiana Code, Title 6. Taxation, Article 9. Innkeeper’s Taxes; Other Local Taxes
Chapter 14. Brown County Innkeeper’s Tax

o. Tourism marketing is supported by revenue from the innkeepers tax (around 1.3 million). It can be spent on anything that promotes tourism. Wikipedia identifies numerous categories of tourism.

• • Wikipedia: Types of Tourism

Sept 10, 2024. Starting the conversation: CVB 1st in series of meetings outlines agency’s purpose, Brown County Democrat.

Sep 4, 2024. AUDIO from the Meeting

Additional context -Chart (System Map)

CVC/CVB – Some Facts and Context

CVC_CVB Mgmt of Revenue from Innkeepers Tax

Revenue from the Innkeepers Tax – History, Opportunities, Public Input, Excee Revenue Distribution

AUDIO of the Meeting  

Sep 4, 2024. Agenda Commissioners

SPOT Zoning – Lanham Ridge –  – Denied.  (00:05:28) Request for general business zoning for a hotel, in a residential area.  The Area Plan Commissioner unanimously recommended a No vote. This was the third meeting on this issue. Residents in opposition packed the room again and were prepared to present even more information in opposition.  Commissioner Sanders made a motion to Deny the SPOT Zoning. Commissioners Pittman and Wolpert also voted No.  The only public advocate for the change was Commissioner Wolpert.   Indications were that the decision was going to be delayed again, but the strong opposition from the residents was unwavering.

New paid Holiday for county employees on June 19th (Juneteenth). The new holiday is to be referred to as “Brown County Employees Appreciation Day.” (1:22:06). Commissioner Wolpert proposed a new paid holiday for county employees. He stated employees complained that they did not get paid enough and a new paid holiday might be appreciated.  It was approved by all three commissioners. Wolpert decided it would be on June 19. “Juneteenth” is a federal holiday but not state.  Wolpert does not support Juneteenth and wanted to call it Old Settlers Teenth. Commissioner Sanders provided the history of the Old Settlers Day celebration that is held in September and thought it should remain separate.    (Juneteenth is a federal holiday but not state).

“Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.” (Wikipedia)

County Septic Ordinance was repealed. This was the second reading.  The county will follow state guidance.  The state voided any county septic-related policies that exceeded state standards.  Counties wanting additional requirements need to submit the request through a state technical review panel.

Highway Superintendant Report. (1:07:06) A contract Vialytics was selected to update the condition of county roads and assign a PASER Rating.

Bridge Inventory and Assessment. A four-year contract is being negotiated with EGIS – represented in the county by Kevin Allen.

Highway Superintendent Report 2024_09_04

Convention Visitors Commissioner (CVC). Jimmie Tilton was selected to fill the vacancy due to the resignation of Barry Herring.  There is an ongoing issue over the future role and funding of the Convention Visitors Bureau.  (CVB).

Legal – Indian Hill Crossin Re-Opening.  No response yet from INDOT on the county’s request to provide an extension. The county’s petition to re-open was provided on Sept 29, 2023, and the county had a year to respond to the conditions for re-opening.

This post at Brown County Matters

 

Indiana allows the county to collect an innkeeper’s tax. Indiana Code (IC), Title 6, Article 9, Chapter 14 Brown County Innkeepet Tax.   (This is supported by a county-specific resolution/ordinance).

Aug 27, 2024, Brown County Democrat  Reader has strong opinions regarding CVC – CVB

Last updated: Oct 1 , 2024  

Sep 24, 2024 Meeting. APC voted not to recommend approval of the ordinance as written. They reinforced their justification for their vote on Aug 27, 2024. 

• • Audio of the Meeting. Includes discussion on survey results. They had 66 responses with the majority voting No.

August 27 2024 APC Agenda (image also provided below)

Audio of the Meeting 

APC – Special Meeting, Thursday, Sept 5, 4:30 – Select a consultant for the development of the  County Comprehensive Plan.   

• • Veridus Group, in partnership with Contacts Design, was selected. 
     
  • Audio of this meeting
     
  • This post at Brown County Matters

SUMMARY

• • 55 second mark. Lit Sign Ordinance Change- discussion starts at the beginning of the meeting. Vote to table is at 1:02:40 followed by a brief discussion on follow-up ideas.
    • Post at Brown County Matters
  • Comprehensive Plan – Budget Challenge — 80K vs $36,750.
    • 1:11:35 – Pete Olsen, Veridus Group in partnership with Contacts Design. Three required items: (1) Statement of objectives for future development,  (2) Statement of policy for land use development, and Statement of policy for public ways, land, structure, and utilities.
    • 1:48:11 – Kevin Allen, EGIS Group. Starts off with a discussion on the format of a comprehensive plan.
  • 2:31:00  Health Code and Zoning Enforcement. When a property owner may be in violation of zoning and/or health codes (such as a full-time camping without a septic system or pump and haul permit), resolving the situation can be a long process and ultimately may require the county to incur the expense of litigation.

MORE DETAIL

Internally LIT Signs.  The APC tabled the decision for 60 days. Hard to see how this ordinance change as written should ever be approved. Board members asked good questions and provided insightful comments. They also reinforced the need for more meetings to gather citizen input on the change. Opponents reinforced that internally Lit signs may represent current technology but would make us the same as any other community.

• • A community discussion on external vs internal Lit signs could be included as part of the community discussion supporting the development of the new County Comprehensive  Plan.  Opponents of the changes to the ordinance reinforced that the external lighted signs are part of the Brown County aesthetic and contribute to our uniqueness, which residents, visitors, and tourists appreciate.

  • Comments at the meeting and on social media: 

    • The existing sign ordinance has been effective in maintaining the aesthetic quality, safety, and overall character of our area. The proposed loosening of these restrictions threatens to undermine the careful balance that has been achieved.

    • The current sign regulations have served our community well by ensuring that signage remains tasteful, unobtrusive, and in harmony with our local environment. These standards have helped to prevent visual clutter, preserve the distinctive
      charm of our county, and contribute to the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike.

    • By loosening these restrictions, we risk opening the door to a proliferation of larger, more intrusive signs that could detract from the character of our community. This could lead to a more commercialized and less cohesive appearance, which is believed not to be in the best interest of our residents or our long-term planning goals.  

    • Although greater flexibility in signage supports local businesses,  the current ordinance strikes an appropriate balance between business needs and community values. The regulations in place have not only preserved the visual integrity of our county but have also contributed to a sense of place that residents and visitors alike appreciate. The possibility of “animated” or moving display signs is also a concern.

County Comprehensive Plan (CCP).  APC is in the process of selecting a consultant.

Commentary.  The Comp Plan falls under the responsibility of the commissioners.  A first step would be for the commissioners to identify a vision for the county.  The APC then supports action to ensure the plan meets the needs of the county and has community support.

• • We are among the most heavily forested counties in the state. Over 50% of our land is non-taxable and owned by state, federal, and non-profits. Landowners can also choose to designate land as “classified forest,” which lowers the property tax.  Although non-taxable land reduces the tax base, it is what retains and attracts new residents!  
  • Who are we?  We are a bedroom and retirement community with tourism.  “77% of the earnings realized by local residents originate elsewhere. “
    • GDP – County Economic and Income Base.  The GDP of the five surrounding counties is 29.5 billion.  The GDP of Brown County is $362 million.
    • Tourism (Rockport Analytics Study) brings in 12.2 million in taxable wages. The gross taxable income of all residents is $550 million.
    • The county is funded primarily by income and property tax. The county tax policy: County income tax is among the highest in the state; property tax is among the lowest.
    • We are also a regional tourism destination.  Attractions include forests and landscape, the historic town (artist colony) of Nashville, Brown County State Park, art galleries,  hiking and biking (mountain and road), camping, shops, restaurants, wineries, distillery, resorts, Brown County Music Center.
    • What is the optimum balance between residents and visitors/tourists?
    • The justification for the new traffic light at the North Gate of the park included the increase in traffic volume that affects safety.  Will a light also be required at some point at 46/135 South?  Where else?   The new traffic/pedestrian lights in Nashville and at 46/135 North also indicate an increase in pedestrian volume and safety concerns. The two-lane roads in Brown County do identify a constraint.

Current Plan – Revised 2011, 14 pages.  Although the plan meets the minimum requirements to support zoning, it is too general in many areas, and good arguments for or against a project can be made.   When applying for grants from various sources – a current plan – no older than 5 years, is expected.

The Comp Plan identifies what citizens want and do not want regarding Quality of Life/Place and Economic Development. It supports zoning, which affects the tax base.  Commissioners have the final vote on approval of the plan.

The recent discussion on allowing internal Lit sighs as opposed to the current external Lit identified citizens with changing the 

Reference: 2023 Indiana Code (IC), Title 36. Local Government, Article 7. Planning and Development Chapter 4. Local Planning and Zoning, 36-7-4-501. Comprehensive Plan; Requirement; Approval;

Funding.  The cost of a plan is estimated at $80,000.  The APc has 37K.

• • APC – $10k is available.
  • Community Foundation – $26,750. Contingent on a commitment to spend by the end of the year. (Extending the deadline is being reviewed).
  • Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) – $60K.  Qualifying for this grant requires a low to moderate income level (LMI) of 51%. It was estimated that the county may be at 50.5 percent if rounded, which would meet the requirement. There is an action to get a decision from OCRA. In 2017, the county’s LMI was 53.1%.

Consultants. Both consultants stated that 37K could be used to update the current plan to reinforce the minimum state requirements.  Generally, a current plan (no older than 5 years) is required by various funding agencies to qualify for grants. Grants are expected to be available to support further upgrades to the comprehensive plan.

• • Veridus Group, INC, in partnership with Context Design, which specializes in placemaking projects.
  • Kevin Allen / EGIS Group.
    • Kevin is a local and  EGIS has a current contract with the Brown County Regional Sewer District (“BCRSD”). Kevin led the development of the Bicycle and Pedestrian  Master Plan and is currently supporting a private developer who is requesting a tax subsidy for a proposed apartment project. Kevin also provides unpaid advice and support for other projects in the county, such as the Gnaw Bone RSD,  Indian Hill RR Crossing, and the Redevelopment Commission (RDC). Kevin has also been asked to attend the county GOP meetings that are closed to the public. The GOP chair (Mark Bowman) and his wife (who routinely attends county government meetings) are realtors (Tramcore Realty) and public advocates of development and development-related zoning changes, including advocacy for county-wide sewers.
    •  EGIS is a merger of Beam, Longest & Neff, LLC (BLN),  with McIntosh Perry

    • Handouts :

      • Comp Plan Requirements

      • A.1A Why , C1 Who, C2 What, 
      • C3 How, D13 Anchor Instit
      • Why Comp Plans Fail  and 8. Public Opposition
      • Apx A IN Code Controlling Document
  • Until this election, the local GOPs policy was to avoid a political platform.  After the primaries, they posted 

Camper Discussion 2:31:00.  Health Code and likely  Zoning Violations.

Dollars on the move

Brown County is more typical: 32% of the earnings generated in the county flow out while 77% of the earnings realized by local residents originate elsewhere.

        The two Indiana candidates for Governor might hold up their hometowns (New Castle for McCormick and Jasper for Braun) as models for the concerns surfacing lately about small city survival.

In the 50 years from 1970 to 2020, New Castle has seen its population drop by 3,800 from a high of 21,200 . Jasper has nearly doubled from 8,600 to 16,700 in the same period. Seymour added 8,200 residents while Logansport has lost 3,300 and Vincennes declined by 4,100.

        Both growth and decline are serious issues for places between 10,000 and 20,000 persons.

        Instead of focusing on population, let’s talk about an economic dimension of counties where data are more readily available than places. Specifically consider the $77 billion in earnings that counties imported and exported in 2019.

        Before Covid and expanded internet services, money, in form of  wages and salaries, moved through commuting. A worker from Warren County went to Tippecanoe or Montgomery County for a job.

This in-flow of funds benefits Warren Co. while the place of work gains when the worker is also a customer at several establishments. Further, that worker is not burdening the work county with school children and the attendant costs of a residence.

 But in the “new” world, as the commute gives way to the computer, where is the money earned when the employee is in Shelby Co. and the employer in Henry Co.?

        On balance, in 2019, 20 Indiana counties were net exporters of salaries and wages, leaving 72 counties as net importers of earnings.

        Spencer Co., in Southwestern Indiana, had an unusual situation. Residents of the county had 88% of their earnings originating outside the county while 82% of the earnings generated in the county left for other areas. If the people who live in a county don’t work there, and the people who work there don’t live there….is this a classic labor market mismatch?

        Brown County is more typical: 32% of the earnings generated in the county flow out while 77% of the earnings realized by local residents originate elsewhere. The net result of this strong inflow and comparatively low outflow is that two-thirds of the earnings enjoyed by county residents is dependent on jobs located elsewhere.

        In addition to Brown, Ohio, Franklin, Morgan and Union counties were the most impacted by the inflow of earnings relative to the outflow.

        The top five counties impacted by the net outflow of earnings were Martin (Crane), Marion, Gibson, Elkhart and Vanderburgh.

        Do these figures show the labor market is inefficient? Should there be more matching of jobs and housing? Or is the market working just fine? People find employment where they can and live where they choose to, subject to their ability to earn.

        What do you say? The future of our state may depend on your thoughts. Or, leave it to the political insiders as we have for decades?

= = = = = = = =

Mr. Marcus is an economist. Reach him at mortonjmarcus@gmail.com and follow him and John Guy on the Who Gets What? podcast available at mortonjohn.libsyn.com

This Posty at Brown County Matters

8.21.2024 Agenda Commissioners (version 8/20-2024)

• • In addition to the agenda, the county requested an INDOT for a one-year extension concerning the re-opening of Indian Hill RR Crossing and Road.  Discussed at the end of the meeting.

AUDIO of the Meeting

• • SPOT Zoning.
    • The conversation starts at 3:09. Comments from Oppoenent start at 9:45.
    •  The request to approve general business zoning for a hotel in a residential area has been delayed. Commissioners have 90 days from Aug 7 to vote on the proposed change.
    • This example and discussion is the proverbial “canary in the coal mine.”  There are interests in the county that want to take advantage of every development opportunity possible.  In opposition, Brown County is a bedroom and retirement community where people choose to live for the peace, quiet, and beauty of the land.
    • The neighbors oppose it.  Commissioner Wolpert (who has lived on Lanham Ridge) appears to be supporting the change. Commissioner Pittman wants more information on the issues.  Ron Sanders is supportive of the arguments from the opponents.
    • One resident mentioned that if you change this property to commercial business, he could also request a change to build a hotel and estimate a significant increase in his property value. He was against the change but raised the point regarding the motivation for developments throughout the county,
    • Illegal SPOT Zoning.  SPOT Zoning that identifies a specific use is illegal under Indiana law.
    • A newer resident (25:30) in the area stated he moved here for peace and quiet and wants to keep things that way.  The case for change reflected the theme – Things change; get used to it … You are not going to get things your way.”
    • The county started the process of developing a new Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan identifies what residents want and do not want in terms of development, zoning, and quality of life. Zoning influences the economic base.  The discussions on the interests of development vs residents need to happen throughout the county.
• Traffic Volume and the Stop Light – North Entrance to the Park.  INDOT has rejected a stoplight in the past because of traffic volume. They also discussed adding a roundabout.  The fact that a stop light is being installed reflects the increased traffic volume in Brown County. Another stop light at 46/135 is probably not too far off.

Other:  

• • Aug 7, 2024. Commissioner Meeting Notes, copies of the SPOT Zoning petition