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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This post at Brown County Matters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Updated Sept 5, 2023.

County Council Special Meeting Notes, Sept 5, 2023.  The only agenda item was for approval of a pay grade for a new position. No surprises.  Audio of the Meeting 

The council unanimously approved the pay grade (14 at 43K) for the “New” commissioner assistant position requested by Commissioners Pittman and Wolpert. Councilman Redding was not present. The part-time receptionist/clerical position will be eliminated in Nov. Councilman Swift-Powdrill pointed out the position description did not state the work was to be performed in the office M-F. This stipulation was not included in the vote to approve.

Background: Last fall, the council, and commissioners decided this assistant position was not needed and it was replaced with a full-time HR director position and a part-time receptionist/clerical position. Newly appointed commissioner Blake Wolpert was the advocate for the new position.

This meeting announcement and background information (below) also posted at Brown County Matters on Aug 28, 2023.

Sept 5, 2023, Council Meeting – NEW commissioner assistant position or a paid full-time 4^th Commissioner?   This special meeting will include a vote to approve funding for a “new” commissioner assistant position at grade 14 (43K a year). The meeting may also provide an update on the status of the 2024 budget projections.

• • Last fall, the commissioners and council determined this assistant commissioner position “was not needed.” They converted it to a full-time HR Director position and a part-time receptionist/clerical position.

Funding?  Despite the projected budget deficit for 2024 of over 900K, newly appointed Commissioner Wolpert stated the commissioners “have the money” to fund the new position.

Interestingly the council at their Aug 21st meeting declined a 5K increase in pay for the GIS coordinator who also said the funds were in the budget. Councilman Hewett reinforced that any available funds may be needed to balance the 2024 budget …. except for the new commissioner assistant position at a cost of 43k?

• • An option for funding this “new” position is for the commissioners to VOTE to forego all or part of their salaries to provide the needed funds.

Need?  Regarding the new assistant position, no documented analysis has been provided to justify the new position.  The part-time receptionist/clerical position will be eliminated but the tasks remain. Will these tasks now be performed by the new assistant at a much higher grade level?

Requirements? What tasks will be performed by the new assistant that cannot currently be done by the three commissioners or with temporary contract support?

Does the motivation for this new assistant commissioner position imply that there may be commissioners who lack the time, desire, competence, or commitment to perform the task they were elected to perform?

Background. The local GOP (7 of 4 Rep precinct chairs) voted to appoint Blake Wolpert to a commissioner vacancy. Among Wolpert’s first actions (with the support of the local GOP) was to advocate for a new assistant commissioner position.

Is the intent of this position to support the county or to provide the local GOP more control over county operations?  If so, should the cost of any additional assistance be funded by the local GOP as opposed to county taxpayers?

Temporary Assistance. For interim administrative support, commissioners contracted with the former admin assistant Melissa Stinson, to provide help in preparing the commissioner’s budget and to provide further assistance on an as-needed basis.  Stinson accepted a job last year with a different county and was involved in the discussions to eliminate her old position. She has now applied for the “new” position.

Support for a new position?   Commissioner Sanders (elected in 2022) was not included in the initial decisions by Commissioners Pittman and Wolpert regarding the need for a new position.  Sanders was not the preferred candidate in 2022 of the county GOP.  Initial attempts to undermine his contributions at commissioner meetings have not been successful.

County employees also expressed opposition to the initial position description which they believed included redundant tasks and believed it was over-graded and the candidate for the position was preselected.

• • Sanders defeated a two-term incumbent in the 2022 elections.  His opponent claimed she was the first full-time commissioner in county history. This begs the question: Did she have to work full-time to meet part-time requirements or was the workload unevenly distributed among the three commissioners?   

According to newly appointed Commsissionert Wolpert, the initial position description was rewritten by consultants. It was submitted to the council to approve funding at the council’s meeting on August 21, 2023.  The council voted to table the request to allow time to review the position description and confirm priorities and funding availability.

Welcome to Absurdistan.  Given the council identified over a 900K budget deficit for 2024, THERE IS NO MONEY FOR A “NEW” POSITION.  Yet, I will be surprised if the council is not bullied into approving funding.

• • Indiana: Risk Limiting Audits (RLA)

Commissioner Meeting Notes, Aug 16, 2023.

Town of Nashville Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan – Sandie Jones. This project was sold by a former commissioner as a “Joint” endeavor funded with a grant of 20K from the Indiana Department of Health, and 20K from the County. The source of the funds is from the ARPA money. The Plan would be used to apply for grants to fund the construction of the paths/trails. Cost likely in the millions.

There was only one bid for the project that came in at 51K – 11,000 over budget. Nashville proposed that the County add in another 5,500 and the Town would add in 5,500. Given the commitment to funding, Commissioner Pittman questioned the “jointness” of the project.

Another contract stipulation was that the commissioners were to allow contractors to trespass on private land to conduct trail-related surveys. Commissioners Sanders objected to this stipulation. Commissioners are to make a final decision at their next meeting.

Scenic Overlook on 135. The Parks and Rec Board asked the Commissioners to transfer the deed to Parks and Rec which the commissioners have agreed to do. The county received the deed to the land from INDOT. The plan is to build a new shelter to replace the one that INDOT decided was beyond repair.

Position Descriptions. Commissioners approved a new ordinance reinforcing that the Commissioners are responsible for “job descriptions.” The Council retains responsibility for determining funding (salary/grade).

Standard practice (State and Federal) is for a position description to be classified. “A job classification identifies a group of positions to have sufficiently similar duties, authority, and responsibility such that: 1) the same qualifications may reasonably be required for, and 2) the same schedule of pay can be equitably applied to all positions in the group.” Ref: ISPD.  https://www.in.gov/spd/files/compensation-definitions.pdf

The County Council has concluded that Brown County’s system needs to be re-engineered.  Should be interesting – reminds me of the quote from Einstein: ““We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”

Updated – Sep 7, 2023. 

County GOP Leadership – Precincts. The direction of the county is heavily influenced by just a few people.  Six of 11 precinct chairs (a majority) and their like-minded co-chairs can elect a new GOP chair.    All 11 precincts will be on the 2024 ballot.

Sept 7, 2023. IPR 2024 Budget Hearings; Public Meeting Reqs.  Development and management of the budget is the core task of the county council.  Our closed (monopoly) of government is not capable of producing the quality of results all citizens should expect.

Aug 28, 2023 – Updated. Post 2.  Council Meeting – Sept 5, 2023, – NEW commissioner assistant position or a “4th commissioner”?     County GOP wanting more control …

Aug 15, 2022. Post 1. Vote County Interests in the 2024 Republican Primary – Cross-over Votes Needed 

Non-partisan – Local Elections. This will be the first in a series of posts that are intended to engage voters in the 2024 primary election in supporting a more deliberate strategy to improve the quality of county government. This strategy can be supported by Democrats as well as Republicans that can choose to support a non-partisan county platform in the May 2024 Republican primary.

A platform could include what a candidate identifies as specific goals, objectives, and feedback indicators. A platform could also be developed for a slate of preferred candidates. An example of a 2024 County Election – Non-Partisan Platform – WIP. Another example:Nonpartisan Political Platform.   For the 2020 election,  the Democrat candidates for Commissioner and Council developed their platform (positions). Republican candidates did not.

Monopoly on Power. Brown County has a one-party monopoly on political power which is never a good thing. A monopoly represents a closed system that is the least effective in producing the best results for everyone. Centralization of power always corrupts and a closed system can lead to the moral corruption of those that work within the system. Consequently, among the responsibilities of citizens is to prevent corruption. Among the best antidotes is transparency that at a minimum, includes the publication of government meeting agendas, minutes, and audio.

Precincts. The primary election determines the winners in the November county elections. Next year’s primary ballot will also include the election of the 11 precinct chairs.  The precinct chairs, who appoint their vice chairs, elect the party chair and other officers including Vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer.   The Party Chair does not have to be a precinct chair or vice chair (?)

• • The majority (7) of the precinct chairs and vice chairs elect the party chair.  Only Precinct chairs can elect candidates to fill a vacancy for an elected office. More Information:  Brown County (GOP) – Organization, Governance, Precincts

History – Cross-Overs. Reportedly, the county has always had a one-party monopoly on political power that transitioned from Democrat to Republican. Many candidates who at one time voted as Democrats, have crossed over to the Republican party in order to get elected  The school board elections are non-partisan as are the Nashville town council elections.  In the 2022 county elections. Ron Sanders was not the preferred GOP commissioner candidate and the cross-over vote in the primary helped him get the votes needed to win. His opponent was running for an unprecedented 3^rd consecutive term.  Are voluntary term limits a good thing?

Top Management. In America by law (see Constitution), We the People are “top management.”  We can hold elected and appointed officials “accountable” for actions supporting desired changes but we always retain responsibility for the outcomes. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed with checks and balances on power to enable us to work towards “a more perfect Union” and county.  This requires us to identify what we define as more perfect and identify the feedback needed to assess results. We also need a method for determining what change results in improvement.   The Brown County Leader Network supports this strategy.

• •  A short presentation and overview of the BCLN concept