Charlie Kirk: Turning Point USA

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Founder John Adams famously warned in 1798, “We have no Government armed with Power capable of contending with human Passions unbridled by morality and Religion. Avarice, Ambition, and Revenge or Galantry, would break the strongest Cords of our Constitution as a Whale goes through a Net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”   

“The American way of life is very simple. I want to be able to get married, buy a home, have kids, allow them to ride their bike till the sun goes down, send them to a good school, have a low crime neighborhood, not to have my kid be taught the lesbian, gay, transgender garbage in their school. While also, not having them have to hear the Muslim call to prayer five times a day. That’s important.” – Charlie Kirk    Is the Bible Real?  Charlie’s Answer

Oct 12, 2025. Homily, A homily, by Fr. Adam Blatt who was not familiar with Charlie’s Kirk but took the time to learn about it, pray and reflect.   Post on LinkedIn. 

    • “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Charlie was shot at 12:23.  
      “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. * Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat;r but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life, loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life . Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

      (John 12:23}

    • Transcript Homily Charlie Kirk by Fr Adam Blatt

Oct 14, 2023. Trump awards Medal of Freedom posthumously to Charlie Kirk.  “Right now Charlie Kirk wears the crown of a Martyr.  … Why does this happen … ” the blood of the martyrs is the  seeds of the church ” Charlie shot at 12:23 (John 12:23):

    • The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, Itself remaineth alone. But if it die it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hateth his life in this world keepeth it unto life eternal. If any man minister to me, let him follow me: and where I am, there also shall my minister be. If any man minister to me, him will my Father honour.

Catholic Cardinal Dolan: “WOW! Cardinal Timothy Dolan: “The more I learned about [Charlie], I thought this guy is a modern-day Saint Paul. He was a missionary, an evangelist, a hero. He’s one I think that knew what Jesus meant when he said, ‘The truth will set you free.’” ….  And to do it,  Now, I understand he was pretty blunt and he was pretty direct. He didn’t try to avoid any controversy. He didn’t even try to avoid confrontation. The difference is the way, the mode, the style that he did it, always with respect.”

    • EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Robert Barron says Charlie Kirk ‘died with a microphone in his hand,’ as faith under attack  . To Barron, the attack reveals that something “basic to our civilization is in danger of being lost.”  Barron described Kirk as “a man of great intelligence, charm, and goodness of heart.” Charlie, he said, embodied a tradition of open debate stretching back to the roots of Western civilization. “He always made it clear that the most important thing in his life — the thing he most wanted to be remembered for — was not his party affiliation or political philosophy but his Christian faith.”
    • FR. ANDRE MAHANNA_ What Charlie and Erika Kirk Teach Us About the Union of Catholics and Protestants _ Joe Hoft …  it seems that both Protestantism and Catholicism have a major lesson to learn from @charliekirk11 and his wife the wonderful @MrsErikaKirk namely from their spiritual and Christian conduct. Coming from Catholic and Evangelical background and traditions, and united in the holy matrimony as husband and wife, it seems that they both lived what Saint Paul told us to do: “They tried to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace and to live a life worthy of their vocation”. In Ephesians 4: 1- 13, St. Paul tells us how our gifts can be used to unite us as a Church: GO BACK TO THE SOURCE, maintain the spiritual wealth and the treasure of faith and true knowledge we have acquired from both traditions: Catholicism and Protestantism. We can be again One Faith, One Baptism One Lord.

Sep 21, 2025. Charlie Kirk’s  Memorial Service 

Sept 14, 2025. Charlie Kirk Memorial at the Kennedy Center

 

Sept 21, 2025. Turning Point USA – Memorial Service. The morning of Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, AZ.  Remembering Charlie Kirk — “he led the resistance that restored free speech in America.”

The White House – Tribute to Charlie Kirk

How the West Lost Its Soul – by Paul Kingsnorth, The Free Press. We’ve abandoned the founding religious story that has sustained us for 1,500 years. The result is the greatest age of abundance we’ve ever known—and a complete lack of meaning. 

Post- Chad Prather: The reason you feel Charlie’s death so deeply is because grief doesn’t measure itself by proximity. It measures itself by meaning. You didn’t have to know him personally to feel the sting of his absence, because when a voice like his goes silent, something in the atmosphere shifts. …. We are bound together by shared purpose, by shared longing for truth, by the Spirit of God Himself weaving us into a fabric that cannot be torn apart. This loss pulled at that fabric, and every one of us felt the tug.

    • Brown County Hcco Park – elder JR sharing on CWTP. “Charlie Kirk Martyred for his Faith”
    • Seán Ono Lennon on X I am against violence. I am against celebrating violence. I’m praying for peace. I’m praying for healing. I’m praying for the family, especially the children. I know what they’re going through. I’ve been through it.
      • I did NOT agree with Charlie Kirk’s views on MANY important topics. I know he helped get Trump elected and people hate him for that. But he was a conservative Christian. What do you expect a conservative Christian to believe? How can those views surprise you? He argued those views calmly, reasonably, and considerately as far as I’ve seen. But no matter what he did not deserve this. His wife did not deserve this. His kids did NOT deserve to have their world torn apart! The way some people are being so cold and uncaring and even celebrating is disturbing and repugnant to me. It is making me physically ill. If you are celebrating the murder of a non-violent man for his opinions then you are NOT the better person. Look in the mirror. Imagine telling his kids how you feel. Step back. Take a breath. Remember we are all humans. We are all just flickers of consciousness in an endless eternity. Love IS the answer. I really mean it.

Charlie Kirk’s beloved wife, Mrs. Erika Kirk, addresses the Nation. Erika, their two children, and Charlie’s parents were all present at Utah Valley University.

    • Erika Kirk_ A Widow Defiant – Rod Dreher’s Diary.
      • The courage of this woman is off the charts. Her message is an important one to hear. If you can get through the part at the end where she recounts their three year old daughter running up to her yesterday asking, “Where’s Daddy?” without weeping, you are a stronger person than I.
      • In her address, Erika Kirk urged people to find a “Bible-believing church” — for those not familiar with the phrase, it means a church that takes the faith seriously — because “spiritual warfare” is real, and we are in a spiritual battle above all.

      • This moment in the life of our nation — of the Western world, really — has been an apocalypse in the strictest sense of the term. It has been an unveiling. We are discovering how evil many, many people are.

Charlie and Erika – First Date – Marriage

Post at Brown County Matters.  Included links to The Free Press article “Charlie Kirk’s Murder and the Rise of Political Violence”  by Ben Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly, Matthew Continetti, Katherine Boyle, Konstantin Kisin, Eli Lake, and Maya Sulkin on Charlie Kirk’s murder and
what it means for America. 

Rod Dreher: A ‘Je Suis Charlie’ Apocalypse.  I realized that I am from a country, and will return one day to a country, where more than a few people would just as soon have me killed for believing the same things that Charlie Kirk did, and talking about them in public.

Turning Point USA

Gary Varvel: Charlie Kirk is alive in his heavenly home

C-Suite for Christ  – Linkedin –  Paul M. Neuberger.

    • Charlie Kirk was murdered yesterday.
    • Evil struck in broad daylight.
    • Evil didn’t hesitate. Evil didn’t wait for a convenient time.
    • Evil doesn’t care about your feelings.
    • This world is in the middle of a full-scale spiritual war, and one of our boldest warriors has been cut down.
    • Charlie wasn’t just a conservative voice. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
    • He put God first. He was unapologetically bold.
    • He willingly walked into hostile territory — college campuses dripping with secular indoctrination — and told the truth anyway.
    • He fought not with weapons, but with ideas, logic, conviction, and courage.
    • He stood tall on the foundation of biblical truth while others caved to culture. That’s why the enemy wanted him silenced.
    • And now, in his death, we see just how desperate the other side is.
    • The Bible makes it plain: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world” (Ephesians 6:12).
    • When your movement has no ideas, no truth, and no light, all you have left is violence and intimidation.
    • That’s why attacks like this happen. That’s why churches are targeted. That’s why Christians are mocked.
    • The other side is terrified of the momentum of truth.
    • Charlie Kirk’s legacy is a roadmap for us: put God first, be bold, challenge the status quo, stand firm on principles, and never stop fighting with the only weapon that matters — the Word of God.
    • He showed us that even when the world hates you, you stand tall anyway.
    • I’ll never forget being at a C-Suite for Christ event in Nashville with my friend Riley Gaines. An employee of TPUSA Faith leaned over and said to me, “You remind me of Charlie.” I can’t put into words what that meant then — and what it means now. I will wear that as a badge of honor until the day I die.
    • And I vow, before God and before you, to do everything in my power to carry forward his torch, to cover the world in Christ, and to never let the Gospel go silent.
    • God bless Charlie Kirk. God bless Erika and his family. And God bless all of us who refuse to bow to the darkness.
    • Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have, and today I wield it boldly.
    • Darkness may have struck yesterday, but the light of Christ cannot and will not be overcome.

      — Paul M. Neuberger (PMN)

America 250: America Prays

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‘We Are One Nation Under God’: Trump Announces Plan for Prayer in Schools, CBN.

    •  “I am pleased to announce this morning that the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools,” 
    • Trump blasted what he called indoctrination and “antireligious propaganda” and cited the need to “protect the Judeo-Christian values of our founding.”

This post included at LinkedIn:  ‘We Are One Nation Under God. ‘ “God is love” (1 John 4:7-12). Love can be described as willing the good of others. The aim of the Constitution is to enable We the People (top management) to work towards “a more perfect Union.” Perfect in a Biblical context is that all needs are met.

    • Working towards “more perfect” is supported through continual improvement of systems and processes. This is achieved by reducing variation from the ideal, nominal, or optimal. As more needs are met, there is less harm caused by unmet needs.
    • Within the quality profession, the Taguchi Loss Function reinforces that the closer a product/service gets to the ideal (i.e., more needs met), the lower the cost and less harm to individuals and society.
    • W. Edwards Deming, whose contributions were recognized for improving quality worldwide, starting in Japan after WWII, reinforced that “the aim of every system is for everybody to gain- stockholders, employees, suppliers, customers, community, the environment–over the long-term.“  The 7 Basic Tools of Quality can be applied to help resolve 95% of problems.


AN INVITATION TO

PRAYER & REDEDICATION

OF THE UNITED STATES AS

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

The president also launched the America Prays initiative — a call for Americans to unite in prayer for the nation’s strength, peace, and prosperity as the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches. CBN

“When faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker. When faith gets stronger… good things happen for our country. It’s amazing the way it seems to work that way. Under the Trump Administration, we’re defending our rights and restoring our identity as a nation under God. We are One Nation Under God — and we always will be,” he said.

Trump blasted what he called indoctrination and “antireligious propaganda” and cited the need to “protect the Judeo-Christian values of our founding.”

“As we prepare to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, I am inviting America’s great religious communities to pray for our nation and for our people. From the beginning, this has always been a country sustained and strengthened by prayer. So important, if we bring religion back stronger, you’re going to see everything get better and better and better. You are going to see it get better and better. So, as we chart our course for the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.” – President Trump, Iowa, July 3, 2025

Mt. Tea State Forest / Access via Pumpkin Ridge Road.  Notes from the Aug 20, 2025 Public Meeting

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Mt. Tea State Forest / Access via Pumpkin Ridge Road. 

Timeline of the Project, Supporting Documentation

Notes from the Aug 20, 2025 Public Meeting

Executive Summary

The Mt. Tea State Forest access project has raised concerns about cost, environmental impact, safety, and communication with residents. While initial plans proposed a $7 million INDOT road upgrade, public feedback has pushed for more modest alternatives. Key issues include protecting the rural character of Brown County, ensuring fair decision-making with stakeholder input, and improving transparency in communications. Road options range from full INDOT upgrades to minimalist or county-led improvements, with “do nothing” also being considered. No final decision has been made, and commissioners have committed to ongoing updates and public involvement before moving forward.

History

Concerns

  • No evidence of public meetings between 2022–2024 to gauge community support or define the scope of the problem.
  • Commissioner Sanders (term began in 2022) was also unaware of such meetings.
  • At the August 20, 2025 commissioner meeting, citizens voiced strong opposition — highlighting the risks of pursuing solutions without clear agreement on the problem.

Decision-Making Process

Role of Elected Officials

  • Expected to identify the best solution for the county.
  • Must listen to all stakeholders and apply a transparent process.

Why the Process Matters

  • In controversial issues, groups typically fall into:
    • A vocal minority strongly for or against a change.
    • Many are indifferent or uninformed.
    • A persuadable middle who can support change if engaged.
  • Public input and open meetings reduce conflict and improve outcomes.

Citizenship and Decision-making

The decision-making process can also parallel a citizen’s responsibility when serving as a jurist, which includes: 

  • Listen to the information and scenarios presented from all sides of the argument.
  • Assess the facts and evidence, consider the closing arguments, and agree on a decision.
  • Deciding after hearing only the opening argument without a more complete understanding of the situation would not yield the best outcomes.

Stakeholders

  • Property owners (potential land sales).
  • Residents who use Pumpkin Ridge Road.
  • Residents in surrounding areas.
  • Countywide residents and taxpayers.
  • Visitors to Mt. Tea.
  • DNR, INDOT, and the Governor.

Elements of Good Decision-Making

  • Establish facts and assumptions.
  • Identify constraints and risks.
  • Define decision criteria.
  • Compare positives and negatives of each option.
  • Select a solution and implement it with a clear project plan.

Reference

Concerns with the Road Design

Issues Raised by Citizens

  • Environmental impacts
    • Threats to endangered species.
    • Water quality risks in ponds and streams.
    • Disruption of possible historical sites.
  • Road and construction concerns
    • Safety risks at a hazardous intersection.
    • Ability to navigate during construction.
    • Long-term effects on rural character.
  • Community and cultural concerns
    • Protecting Brown County’s natural beauty.
    • Preserving quality of life for nearby residents.

Economic Context

  • Brown County’s culture is rooted in its rural environment.
  • A large part of the economy depends on residents who live locally but earn income outside the county.
  • About 77% of wages earned by county taxpayers come from outside Brown County.

Project Cost Concerns

  • Original INDOT estimate: $7 million.
  • Many viewed the cost as excessive, leading to speculation about the project’s intent and scope.

Current Status

  • INDOT is preparing more modest alternatives.
  • Goal: reduce financial burden while addressing key safety and environmental concerns.

Road Options Comparison

Option

Description

Pros

Cons

1. INDOT 30 MPH Road Standard

Full upgrade to meet 30 MPH speed limit

Meets state standards, designed for higher traffic

Costly ($7M), strong community opposition, seen as impractical

2. Minimalist INDOT Option

Scaled-back version, possibly unpaved, lower speed (≈20 MPH)

Lower cost, preserves rural feel, similar to park roads

Less durable, details still in development

3. County-Led Upgrade

Local project to maintain Pumpkin Ridge as a county road

More local control, potentially lower cost

County bears responsibility, funding uncertain

4. Do Nothing

Leave road as-is

No cost, no disruption, preserves status quo

Does not address safety issues, may limit access

Top of Form

Funding & Safety Note

  • The 2022 INDOT plan was drafted to support a state funding request.
  • A 2025 survey conducted in Mar/Apr may allow for lower-cost alternatives.
  • Savings could be redirected to improve the hazardous Pumpkin Ridge–Hoover Road intersection.

DNR – Property Management

Citizen Concerns

  • Increased visitors due to improved access.
  • Mt. Tea is remote, with no water supply or privies.
    • Risks include fire response challenges.
  • Potential road damage from logging trucks if logging occurs.
  • Worries about future expansion to include:
    • Horse amenities.
    • All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use.

DNR Response

  • Current plans do not include horses or ATVs.
  • Facility development remains limited (primitive camping, campfires only).

Communications

Ongoing Challenges

  • Limited citizen awareness due to:
    • Declining newspaper readership.
    • Inconsistent social media updates.
    • Low sign-up rates for meeting agenda notifications.
    • Reliance on neighbor-to-neighbor communication.

Effects on Engagement

  • Many residents miss notices of pending projects.
  • Lack of information leads to skepticism and opposition.

Emerging Solutions

  • Establishment of neighbor networks to ensure project updates reach more households.

Miscommunications

Public Misunderstandings

  • Many believed commissioners would vote on August 20, 2025.
  • In fact, no vote was scheduled.

Timeline of Key Events

Date

Event

Notes

2022

INDOT develops road upgrade concept

Supported by previous commissioners

2023

Funding requested from Governor

Backed by Commissioners + DNR

2022–2024

No public meetings identified

Raised concerns about lack of citizen input

May 22, 2025

Commissioners vote against approving INDOT agreement

Clark & Sanders oppose

June 2025

Executive session with INDOT, DNR, project engineer

Sought deeper understanding

July 16, 2025

INDOT presents video and answers questions

Commissioners postpone decision, seek more citizen input

August 20, 2025

Public meeting with strong citizen opposition

Highlighted environmental, financial, and cultural concerns

Key Takeaway

  • Miscommunication about the vote created frustration.
  • Clearer messaging on meeting purposes and timelines is essential.

The Way Ahead

  • The INDOT agreement will not be signed until:
    • A mutually acceptable solution is identified.
    • A project plan aligns with the terms of the agreement.
  • Key considerations moving forward:
    • How construction changes could alter project scope.
    • How modifications will be approved.
    • Risks and mitigation strategies.
    • Eminent domain authority will not be delegated by commissioners.

Next Steps

  • Progress updates will be shared at every commissioner meeting.
  • Special public meetings may be scheduled to allow deeper discussion of key issues.

Additional Information

Key Issues at a Glance

Environmental & Cultural Concerns

  • Potential impact on endangered species and historical sites
  • Water quality risks to nearby ponds and streams
  • Preservation of Brown County’s rural character and natural beauty

Financial Concerns

  • Original $7 million INDOT plan considered excessive
  • More modest alternatives under review
  • Possibility of redirecting savings to hazardous intersection improvements

Safety Concerns

  • Hazardous intersection at Pumpkin Ridge & Hoover Road
  • Road usability during construction
  • Fire risk from primitive camping without water access

Community & Communication Concerns

  • Lack of early public meetings (2022–2024) raised trust issues
  • Misperception that a decision would be made on Aug 20, 2025
  • Ongoing need for better communication between commissioners, residents, and agencies

Brown County Democrat – Articles on the topic

 

 

 

Mt Tea State Forest: Paving Pumpkin Ridge Rd. For the Record

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Last updated 9/3/2025

Sep 3, 2025 Commissioner Meeting. Presentation – Concerns and Key Points form the Aug 20, 2025 meeting.  Comm Mtg Mt Tea Presentation 2025_09_03 0800

Aug 27, 2025. The Wide Road, By Courtney Hughett, Brown County Democrat

Aug 20, 2025. Facebook BCM Notes from Commissioner Meeting. 

Notes from Commissioner Meeting, August 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m. The major topic was the proposed plan by INDOT to improve access to the Mt. Tea State Forest by expanding the Pumpkin Ridge Road to two lanes.
 
The meeting is available for viewing on our County Government YouTube site. (Starts at the 11:45 mark.)
 
    • Background: INDOT first developed the concept and cost estimate in 2022. The Brown County Commissioners in 2023 joined with DNR to request funding from the governor. We found no reference yet in any meeting minutes on this decision. There was no county activity on the project in 2024.
    • In March 2025, the commissioners were informed of the proposed project and introduced it to the public at the May 21, 2025 commissioner meeting and again on July 16, 2025.
    • In the Mar/Apr timeframe, INDOT took action to update the draft plans from 2022. They mailed a Notice of Survey, and a postcard to residents informing them that a survey was going to be conducted and that there would be public meetings. Some residents did not receive notifications and were surprised to see the surveyors. This led to the perception that the project was underway. The INDOT assumption for the public meetings was that the commissioners would first sign an agreement that would start the project and the public meetings.
    • Commissioners received a revision of the agreement on August 18 and began identifying the necessary changes. One change is that the county will not provide INDOT with eminent domain authority. “IF” the project is to proceed, commissioners will have as many public meetings as needed to get the buy-in from the community.
    • Options could include doing nothing, supporting modest improvements to the road, keeping it gravel, narrowing the road to less than 22 feet, and not paving. It is unlikely there will be 100% agreement on every aspect of the project among all the stakeholders.
    • If and once a course of action is selected, the next step is to ensure that the county has oversight and decision authority throughout the process to ensure the plan agreed to by the county is being respected and does not deviate significantly from the plan. Some aspects of the process INDOT has to follow is not flexible due to federal and state requirements.
 
An update from the meeting will be provided at the next commissioner meeting. I also included a link to the times and supporting documentation in the comments.

Posts at Brown County Matters (BCM)

DRAFT: INDOT Local Public Agency (LPA) agreement as of 8-18-2025. LPA is the Brown County Commissioners.  (Change to itren 14 adding: “and approval”). Further changes are expected.

Brown County GIS — Graphic Overlay of Pumpkin Ridge Road to include Property Owners.

Mountain Tea State Forest
— Mountain Tea State Forest – Map
— Description

INDOT Contact with Residents: NICK BATTA PE | Crawford, Murphy & Tilly | w 317.492.9162 | m 317.409.0665  Indianapolis Group Manager

Along with the usually Notice of Survey, the attached postcard was also sent to residents beginning in March and April.  Mountain Tea Postcard rev2

July 16, 2025.  Commissioners Paving project decision tabled, INDOT proposal draws concerns

June 19, 2025. Executive Session – Commissioners, DNR, INDOT, Project Managers. No decisions are made at an Executive Session.

May 21, 2025.  Commissioners approve bids, discuss railroad closure, Pumpkin Ridge Road plan By Courtney Hughett, 

A proposed $6.5 million INDOT project to upgrade Pumpkin Ridge Road, that runs between Hoover Road and Mountain Tea State Forest, into a two-lane paved road was tabled after Commissioners Sanders and Tim Clark raised concerns about the project’s impact on local homeowners, some of whom may be unaware of potential eminent domain action.

“This work may affect the peace of the residents who moved out there for a reason,” said Commissioner Sanders.

Though Commissioner Patrick voted against tabling the matter, the majority agreed to delay approval until more public input could be gathered. INDOT must hold public hearings, but it was noted that once commissioners approve the project, control shifts to the state, limiting county input. Commissioners Sanders and Clark were not comfortable with this.

Mar – May. Project Discussions, Contract Review

Mar / Apr 2025.  INDOT Contact with Residents: NICK BATTA PE | Crawford, Murphy & Tilly | w 317.492.9162 | m 317.409.0665  Indianapolis Group Manager

    • Along with the usual Notice of Survey, the attached postcard was also sent to residents beginning in March and April.  Mountain Tea Postcard rev2

Mar 5, 2025. Copy of Draft Design Letter and other documents provided to commissioners Aug 9, 2022. 

April 10 “2023.” DNR Letter to Eric Holcomb requesting authorization to improve road

Aug 9, 2022 Draft Design Letter for project

  •  

 

2026 – Managing Revenue from the Innkeepers Tax

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Last updated – Aug 18, 2025   

Posts at Brown County Matters (BCM)

Discussion – County Council Work Session, Aug 12, CVC Budget – Starts at 2:40:45

IC 6-9-14 Chapter 14. Brown County Innkeepers’ Tax. How to change?  The County identifies the desired changes and requests support for these changes from our legislature (House and Senate).  Indiana’s Legislative Services Agency (LSA) makes the final changes to the statute in preparation for a vote by the legislature.   It can help to have a lobbyist support the changes. Unclear why any changes that have been approved for other counties would not be approved for application in Brown County.

Tourism can also be broadly defined to include costs for services critical in supporting visitors and tourism, such as 911 services, for example. 

County Council Working Sessions: (This information posted  at BCM)

Who Decides? 

New Revenue and Big Decisions for the County Council and Voters – 4 council seats are up for election in the 2026 primaries. Citizens will have the opportunity this year to question and challenge how the revenue from the innkeepers’ tax should be spent in 2026 and beyond. The council is required to hold a public hearing on the budget – date – TBD

    • The four open seats: District 1 (Gary Hewett), District 2 (Darren Byrd), District 3 (Joel Kirby), and District 4 (Jim Kemp)
    • 2026 proposed CVC Budget for the Revenue from the Innkeepers Tax
      • Discussion on the topic: Quality of Life Committee – For the Record 
        • As Brown County prepares to begin state collection of its new 3 percent innkeepers’ tax, members of the Quality of Life Innkeepers’ Tax Steering Committee held a wide-ranging discussion on July 23 about how the revenue should be managed, monitored, and allocated in the years to come.

At this point, it appears that the County Council could approve 5% for tourism, and 3% could be transferred to the county. This would help cover some of the costs associated with tourism and/or provide funding for projects that more county citizens can enjoy.

For context, voters can think of themselves as jurists. What are the arguments for and against a decision? Is the position supported with an understanding of all the facts and available evidence?

Additional context below. The link is to the articles on the topic in the Brown County Democrat by Courtney Hughett.

What’s new?  The County Council’s increase of the innkeeper’s tax from 5 to 8% may help dispel the assumption that the revenue from the innkeepers’ tax must be spent solely “to promote the development and growth of the convention and visitor industry in the county.”    Other counties have been spending the revenue in various areas that are not specifically defined, including quality of Life (could include public safety?), parks, historic preservation, and economic development (infrastructure).

Economic Driver? Another myth is that “tourism” is the economic driver for the “county.” Our county is funded primarily by residents who do not have a financial interest in tourism. Tourism brings in around $21 million in gross income, and county residents contribute over $511 million of taxable income (gross minus deductions). The county is funded primarily by income and property taxes.

Inadequate Plans.  RepresentativeUnfortunately, the belief that tourism is the main economic driver guided the proposed 2025 revisions to the County Comprehensive Plan, as well as the 2019 Economic Development Strategic Plan. Neither of these plans was approved by the Commissioners.  Neither had wide-scale community input, involvement, and support.

Convention Visitors Bureau. (CVB). The CVB is a contractor. Other counties do not have a CVB. Their visitor center is staffed by county employees, who are funded through revenue from the innkeepers’ tax. The CVB renovated and purchased the Visitor Center. How is this financed? The CVC can also contract with a marketing company.

Background – Funding. The state is primarily funded by Sales and Income taxes. The state allows an innkeeper’s tax (that the county manages) to help promote tourism and increase sales tax. The state expects the counties to cover all the costs associated with tourism, including sheriff and emergency services (such as accidents, medical, and fire), justice center costs related to arrests, prosecutions, incarceration, probation, and necessary infrastructure (such as water, wastewater, safe roads, and bridges).

Collateral. Revenue from the innkeepers’ tax was used as collateral for the loan to build the Brown County Music Center (BCMC). When the Little Opry burned down in 2009, the private sector showed no interest in building another venue. In 2017, hotel and other tourism business owners determined that a music venue could be sustainable with the support of  taxpayers and volunteers.

Delegating Responsibility? County elected officials delegated their responsibility to citizens for managing the venue to non-elected officials. This management group can also help determine profit and allocate the excess revenue. On profitability, the options can range from booking only the most profitable acts as opposed to opting for break-even by offering as many shows as possible. The break-even option would help attract most visitors who may reserve hotel rooms and frequent the other tourism-related venues. Note that if 100% of the innkeepers’ tax was budgeted to the BCMC, this would reduce operating expenses and increase the distribution to the county.

Profits? The management group, through an Administrative Agreement, also determined that 75% of the profits (if legal) may be allocated to the Community Foundation and 25% to county taxpayers. The county taxpayers, not the Foundation, assume the financial risks of the venue. As a result of the economic decline due to COVID, federal taxpayers provided a $2.7 million subsidy, and county taxpayers another $239K.

Community Foundation leaders have defended their share of the profit. The Foundation manages 18 million in funds, and its goal is to reach as much as 30 million by 2030.

The management group consists of 7 members (originally, it was 5). Members include one representative from the county council (Darren Byrd) and one from the board of commissioners (Ron Sanders). Sanders, representing the commissioners’ position, proposed this year that 100% of the excess revenue be returned to the county. His motion was not supported by any other member, including Council Representative Darren Byrd. Bryd has stated he supports a 50/50 distribution, with his justification, ironically, being a lack of confidence in how the county or future council members would spend the money.

The Administrative Agreement was approved by the Building Corp Board (3 members), the Conventions and Visitors Commission (CVC) (5 members), and the management group, which consists of 7 members. This group must vote on changes to the Admin Agreement. This Admin Agreement can be terminated by the commissioners, with the council having approving authority over any changes (if any) to the financial agreements. 

    • Building Corp Members. Robyn Rosenberg Bowman, Mike Laros, Matt Gray.
    • CVC Members: Kevin Ault, Jim Schultz, Lance Miller, Andy Szakaly, Jimmie Tilton.
    • Management Group.
      • Kevin Ault, Co-president, appointed by the CVC.
      • Barry Herring, Co-president, member at-large, appointed by Maple Leaf Board of Directors
      • Jim Schultz, Secretary, appointed by the CVC.
      • Bruce Gould, Vice President, appointed by the CVB Board
      • Ron Sanders (commissioner appointment) – “Elected”
      • Darren Byrd (council appointment) – “Elected”
      • Diana Biddle, member at-large, appointed by Maple Leaf Board of Directors.  Was on the board of commissioners that approved the current agreements.

Accountability, Costs, Trust, Priorities.  Note that one of the justifications provided for the 75/25 split was that there was little trust in voters electing candidates who could determine the best use of the money. Thus, there was a perceived need for more capable and objective decision-making. The county has millions of dollars in unfunded requirements, with the major portion being for bridges and roads. Additional funds could also be used to cover the risk of rising employee health insurance costs and to make the needed increases to the Rainy-Day Fund. Other costs associated with tourism mentioned above include sheriff and emergency services (medical, accidents, and fire), provided to the state park and county, as well as justice center costs related to arrests, prosecutions, incarceration, probation, and necessary infrastructure — such as water, wastewater, safe roads, and bridges.

Indian Hill Railroad Crossing. The cost to re-open the railroad crossing on Indian Hill Road to current standards has been estimated at $1.9 million.   

Fiduciary Responsibility.

    • CVC appointees include 3 from the council and two from the commissioners. They are bonded and have a fiduciary (legal) responsibility for managing the revenue from the innkeepers’ tax.
    • Question: Do Council members, commissioners, and CVC members (all bonded) have a responsibility to help ensure that the revenue is efficiently and effectively managed? How will they know? What are the expectations of the voters?
      • What is required to remove a CVC member for “cause”?

Wild West?  What is the constraint on how the revenue from the innkeepers’ tax can be spent?  General categories identified for spending include “Quality of Life”  and “Economic Development.” These can be and are broadly defined by the counties.  The county, through the CVC, can also enter into contracts with both private and non-profit groups.   

The identification and prioritization of priorities, as well as the management of the revenue, becomes the wild west in terms of spending and priorities. Tippecanoe County has been referenced as providing the most detailed information on how the revenue would be allocated.

IC 6-9 ARTICLE 9. INNKEEPER’S TAXES; OTHER LOCAL TAXES. 

Tippecanoe County is among the most specific of counties in terms of revenue distribution.  Note that there are no specific definitions for the categories of spending that include Economic Development, Historic Preservation, Projects in the State Park, and Quality of Life.  

    • Ch. 7. Tippecanoe County Innkeeper’s Tax
    • Ch. 14. Brown County Innkeeper’s Tax

Economic Development Funding for private ventures?   The council has considered a proposal to fund an apartment project where the landowner wanted to lease the property and pass on the costs and risks associated with development to the county taxpayers. The hope was that eventually an increase in revenue from income and property taxes would provide a return on the county’s investment.  Note that one of the most successful commercial developments in Brown County is Hard Truth Hills.  They did not ask for any taxpayer support. 

The county has attracted commercial developments without having to provide tax subsidies or tax increment financing (TIF). 

Additional Information

Quality of Life Committee – For the Record

Uncategorized

Aug 6, 2025.  Committee’s discussion of tourism tax shifts toward oversight, by  Courtey Hughett.

    • As Brown County prepares to begin state collection of its new 3 percent innkeepers’ tax, members of the Quality of Life Innkeepers’ Tax Steering Committee held a wide-ranging discussion on July 23 about how the revenue should be managed, monitored and allocated in the years to come.
    • IC 6-9 ARTICLE 9. INNKEEPER’S TAXES; OTHER LOCAL TAXES. Examples from other Indiana Counties. 

July 23, 2025.  Committee debates pros, cons of forming EDC, July 23, 2025 by Courtney Hughett

The Brown County Quality of Life Innkeepers’ Tax Steering Committee met again Wednesday morning, July 9 to continue shaping a plan for how to use millions in new
innkeepers’ tax revenue, with a focus on economic development, tourism infrastructure
and long-term sustainability.  Much of the meeting centered on the future formation
of an Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for Brown County, a nonprofit organization that would pursue outside funding, manage local projects and support both quality-of-life
improvements and tourismdriven initiatives.

June 17, 2025. Second Quality of Life committee meeting focuses on how to spend …
bcdemocrat.com › Local News.
 

Local officials and community members gathered Wednesday evening, June 12, for the second “Quality of Life” committee meeting for the innkeepers’ tax to hammer out details of a proposed three percent increase. If approved, the increase would bring the county’s innkeepers’ tax rate from 5% to 8%, starting July 1. Innkeepers’ tax is collected by lodging businesses from overnight stays.

The meeting was attended by committee members Brian Tadlock, Stephanie Tadlock, Lyn Letsinger-Miller, Darren Byrd, Scott Rudd, Jimmy Tilton, Patty Frensemeier, Amy Oliver and Pam Gould. Several others joined in the audience, including local vacation rental owners and nonprofit representatives.

 
June 10, 2025. New group wants to improve “Quality of Life” for Brown County residents, visitors  By   Courtney Hughett,  – June 10, 202 …

A new group has been formed in Brown County called the “Quality of Life Work Group,” with the goal of using the additional 3 percent from the innkeepers’ tax to improve the quality of life for both tourists and residents.

Members present at the group’s meeting included Scott Dick (Nashville Town Council), Patty Frensemeier (Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals), Kevin Ault (owner of Seasons Lodge and Hotel Nashville, and president of the Convention & Visitors Commission), Brian Tadlock (chairman of the Convention & Visitors Bureau), Stephanie Tadlock (Moondance Vacation Rentals), Darren Byrd, Scott Rudd, and Gary Huett (county council), Lyn Letsinger-Miller (president of the Brown County Art Gallery Foundation) and Commissioner Kevin Patrick.

Additional members who were not present include Pam Gould (Cornerstone Inn), Barry Herring (Brown County Inn), Jimmy Tilton (Grand View Suites and a member of the Convention & Visitors Commission), Mike Leggins (infrastructure and wastewater), Dave Frensemeier (fire and rescue), Sheriff Brad Stogsdill, John Elliott (Brown County Community Foundation), and Ron  Benson. The group also plans to include representatives from outdoor recreation and the school corporation.

The group held its first public meeting on Tuesday, June 4, to gather feedback from residents and business owners about preliminary ideas.

Brian Tadlock explained that the county initially wanted to use the additional tax revenue for public safety needs tied to the influx of tourists, but the state did not allow it. Instead, four tentative spending categories were developed:

Gary Huett (President County Council) responded that tourism is the county’s main economic driver and emphasized that if Brown County doesn’t meet that need, another community will.

Making Sense of the Numbers – When is a change significant?

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Post at LinkedIn.  Process Behavior Charts (aka – SPC).

Process behavior charts allow us to determine when it is economical to take actions to improve a process and when a process should be left alone. This is achieved through the calculation of process limits.

Acting as boundaries between the two types of variation—common causes of routine variation and assignable causes of exceptional variation—process limits separate potential signals from likely noise. They define how large or small a value must be before it represents a departure from the historic mean.

But what happens when we fail to use process behavior charts as the basis for action? What happens when noise and signals are confused for each other?

Failure to discriminate between the two types of variation using process behavior charts leaves improvement efforts susceptible to TAMPERING.

TAMPERING occurs when common causes of routine variation (noise) and assignable causes of exceptional variation (signals) are confused for each other. This confusion is also described as the TWO TYPES OF MISTAKES.

MISTAKE 1 occurs when common causes of routine variation are confused for assignable causes of exceptional variation. Slides 1 and 2 provide an example.

Without the context of the process limits, the natural fluctuations exhibited by the process shown on Slide 1 are interpreted as signals. But the same process, when placed in the context of the X chart on Slide 2, proves to be influenced by ONLY common causes of routine variation—that is, it is PREDICTABLE. Improvements to this process will be realized ONLY through fundamental process changes.

MISTAKE 2 occurs when assignable causes of exceptional variation are confused for common causes of routine variation. This mistake is most often the product of using a specification-based approach to understand process behavior. Slides 3 and 4 provide an example.

All of the values on Slide 3 fall within the specification limits. As a result, it is assumed that no actions need to be taken. However, the same process data, when placed in the context of the X chart on Slide 4, reveals that multiple values fall OUTSIDE the process limits. This process is thus characterized as UNPREDICTABLE. Improvements will be realized by ELIMINATING the assignable causes.

Making either mistake—tampering—is consequential. Process behavior charts help avoid this by discriminating the values in a dataset as either part of the noise or an obvious signal. They allow us to characterize process behavior as either PREDICTABLE or UNPREDICTABLE, and to respond accordingly.

Want to learn more about variation? Visit BrokenQuality.com.

Additional Information

Don Wheeler – Three questions regarding change – DJW225

    • The Ideal –  Why? What do you want to accomplish? 
    • The Methodology- How?  By what method will you accomplish your objective?
    • The Judgement – Did the change result in improvement? How will you know when you have accomplished your objective?