The situation,  history, and talking points, regarding the issues within the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District in Monticello, IN is similar to what is now occurring in Brown County.

Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District (TLRSD) Monticello Indiana, White County District

• History. … Poor water quality, failing septic systems, poor soil conditions and other septic system problems ….
• In 1995, the District territory was expanded to include the Tippecanoe River, and the Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman corridors from the north White County line to the south White County line. In 2000, per request of the Carroll County Commissioners, the District territory was expanded to include the east side of Lake Freeman from the south White County line to CR 725 N Carroll County.
• Tax Liens and Sales. Google:  Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District tax liens, tax sales, foreclosures

Dec 2014 Article – Regional Sewer and Septic Strategy – Outdated Septics, Water Quality, Terrain and Installation Challenges

•  Low Pressure, High Profile. Milestone pressure Sewer Installation completed in Twin Lakes, IN
• The article describes the need for the system and conditions for installation. The focus was on systems at risk for polluting water in lakes, creeks, and streams.
• The conditions covered by the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District (TLRSD) appears similar to Brown County. In addition to our waterways, major lakes include Cordry and Sweetwater, Woodland Lake, Lake Lemon, Lake LaSalle, etc.

Sep  23, 2009.  Legislative panel hears sewer district complaints Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper

• Mike Mettler, director of the State Department of Health’s environmental public health division, said Indiana has about 800,000 homes with septic systems and that a quarter or more of those are failing or were improperly installed. … “These systems have a finite life,” he told the panel. “They don’t last forever.”

• Legislators studying Indiana’s regional sewer districts heard complaints Tuesday that some of those districts are abusing their powers as they push forward projects to extend sewer lines into rural areas. At least one district head called the criticism unfair.
• Carroll County resident Pat Robertson told members of the Environmental Quality Service Council that the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District in northwestern Indiana has been heavy-handed, secretive and “a perfect example of government gone wrong.”
• Robertson said the district has forced residents around Lake Freeman about 75 miles northwest of Indianapolis to shutter what in some cases were perfectly good septic systems and pay a $1,000 connection fee to use the city’s sewers.
• Ted Stubbs, the president of the Association of Regional Sewer Districts, told the panel that sewer systems attract controversy because they are among the most expensive public infrastructure projects.
  • But he said sewer extensions have improved water quality, eliminated public health threats and boosted property values across the state.
  • “This has not happened without controversy or problems, but it has made many areas of Indiana a better place to live, work and play,” he said.

Sep 18, 2008. Carroll County citizens hope Governor will stop sewer district Topix, Carrol County News

• A group of Carroll County residents hopes the governor will step in and stop a sewer district from including more than 1,000 homes around Lake Freeman

Aug 31, 2009.  Tensions run high at TLRSD meeting, as Phase IV plans are discussed with affected residents.

Aug 8, 2008.  Residents preparing to sue sewer district, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN.

• Hundreds of angry Carroll County residents are preparing to file a class-action lawsuit against a regional sewer district they say is abusing their civil rights for profit.
• Under Indiana law, once a district gets approval to enlarge its boundaries, it has complete authority to increase its sewer lines and force nearby residents onto the system

July 9, 2008. TLRSD: prepare for law suit Carroll County residents make threat of legal action against sewer district, IDEM following meeting.

• “Over the past years commissioners of Carroll County have received hundreds of requests from citizens and property owners in northwest Carroll County hoping that we do something to curb what they see as the tyranny of the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District,” Brown said.

May 28, 2008. County leaders to meet with IDEM about sewer district, Carroll County Comet.

• “It seems like somehow we have developed an institution with more power than we do,” George Mears said as he provided the second.
• Other opponents at the meeting complained although commissioners said sewer district issues should be addressed by IDEM, the state agency indicated the problems should be solved at the local level.

• Indiana Median Property Taxes by County – Brown County — 19th Highest
  •  2018 Indiana Median Property Tax by County; Source: Tax-Rate.Org

Indiana Median Home Prices by County- Brown County —  5th Highest

This U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates data set includes information about median home values in a number of geographic areas ranging from statewide to census tract. The data set includes median home value data from 2009-2016.

• • IU BUSINESS RESEARCH CENTER (IBRC)
    • PDF File:  median-home-value by county and township
  • Van Buren – $206,500
  • Washington – $160,700
  • Hamblen – $154,800
  • Jackson – $150,000

2019 Completed ROI Regional Housing Study – Brown County Profile starts on page 43

Meetings providing local input into the study

Nov 26, 2018. Notification Facebook – Brown County Matters by Jim Kemp, President of the RDC — Meetings to Discuss The Affordable Housing Issue.

My summary of the discussions provided below.  I welcome the study sponsored by the Regional Opportunity Initiative (ROI) that covers all 11 counties in the southwest central (Uplands) region.

“Affordable Housing”  in Indiana often refers to available places to rent and purchase and generally is associated with those in the low to moderate income level.  However, “affordable” can also be defined as a mortgage and principal payment at 30% of monthly income.  So, with this definition, housing would have to be both “affordable” and “available.”

• The Indiana Affordable Housing and Community Development Fund. Eligibility for the fund requires at least 50% of the dollars allocated to be used to serve “very low-income households” (households earning less than 50% of the area median income). This is $29,600 in Brown County.

RDG Example Regional Housing Study Lake of the Ozarks

In addition to these meetings, an online survey will be available to county citizens. Input from these meetings and from the survey will be integrated within a market analysis. Ideas and suggestions will be presented to the community in early spring.

• ONLINE Community Survey.  The survey will be open until early February 2019 to allow as many people to participate as are interested.
• MORE information about the Housing Study 

Dec 6, 2018 Notes from Public Meetings

• 9:00 a.m. Local Business Community, Realtors, Developers, Builders, Lenders
• 10:30 a.m. Elected and Appointed Officials
• 1:00 p.m. General Public and Community Organizations
• 2:30 p.m. City and County Staff
• 4:30 p.m. Brown County School Corporation Staff & Employees

Overall Agreement

• Maintain our Quality of Life – Country / Artist Colony of the Midwest  — they way it has been – and find the right balance.  This is the attribute desired by residents that were born here and attracts many new residents to the county.
• When it comes to affordable and available housing, there is no “one thing” – many options are needed.
• Infrastructure is a key component. We currently have three wastewater treatment facilities that have the capability to expand. These are located in Nashville, Gnaw Bone, and Helmsburg.  Another facility is being proposed for Bean Blossom.

Local Business Community, Realtors, Developers, Builders, Lenders: 

• “Affordable” is based on income — mortgage that is within 30% of income.  The housing also has to be available.
• Need Credit Scores in the mid to high 600s
• Need an inventory and eligible buyers (lack of savings and debt an issue for many millennials)
  • Under 125K not livable; 150-200K have issues
• Rent – $700-800 is an affordable range, easy to keep rented – no more than a 2-month vacancy.
• Principal and Interest on 150K, 5% interest, 30 years – $805.00 per month
• Demand.
  • Employee Housing – tourism/ hospitality industry
  • Starting teachers ($30k year)
• Rural Living – Utilities and other costs can be higher – propane, home maintenance, electric, water, sewers if available, fire insurance, individual road maintenance, may need a chainsaw.
• Expansion of broadband is a plus
• Great schools and Leadership supported with ROI Ready Schools grants.  STEM initiative another plus.
• We are a bedroom community.  Residents commute to the better-paying jobs located in other counties.

Elected and Appointed Officials

• Commissioner Diana Biddle stated we had an “availability” issue as opposed to an “affordable” issue and stated we had too many tourist homes.   The tourist home issue was discussed at the APC meetings – 184 tourist homes (8,512 total homes) and they are at the higher price range end -$240K and up which is NOT in the “affordable” range.  We also have a large percent (20%+) of second homes.
  • If you accept a new definition of “affordable” as being a mortgage payment at 30% of monthly income, then restricting tourist homes may result in more “available” homes at the higher end of the market. This is a “new” argument with pros and cons.  
• Septic / Sewer Issues discussed with the point being more homes need to be hooked up to sewers vs septics.

 General Public and Community Organizations

• What should be the target number for affordable homes?  If you want to add 2,500  people to cover the projected loss in population, need 1,000 homes.
  • Available land an issue – 53% of land federal and state-owned.
  • Clusters of 10-15 homes per a development may work
  • Population in 2017 at 15,035. Projected to peak in 2020 at 15,393 and drops to 13,821 in 2040 (-1,572) and to 12,785 in 2050 (-2,608)
• There is no “one thing” … Likely need different options depending on the township
• Helmsburg (Jackson Township) has 32 lots available if zoning variance approved.  Could build for $100,000K sell at $110,000.
• Noone wants the vinyl village/box home developments
• Want to maintain county as “Country / Artist Colony of the Midwest.”
• Tax policy of low property high income contributes to higher land prices, higher median home values, and second homes.
• Affordable housing can be attractive to just not the local residents but to potential new residents as well — the 55+ age group that may be looking for a retirement or second home.

City and County Staff (did not sit through all of this one)

• Sewer Service – want more customers and have the capability to expand the plant
  • Septic System code introduced in 1977 … and half homes built before that would not meet current codes.
• Maple Leaf will lead to more growth – Synder Farm ideal for more development.

Brown County School Corporation Staff & Employees

• Declining enrollments and the impact on funding a major problem.
  • Open enrollment (no cost to parents for enrolling their kids in other districts) is a factor. Reasons are due to convenience/location.  Schools in other counties may be more convenient for parents who commute to work outside the county.
  • There is some recruiting. Other districts may also have programs not available in BC.
• 30% of existing staff live in the county, others mostly live Columbus and Bloomington.  Many teachers start living outside the county due to limited available and affordable housing and over time, get established in other communities (schools, churches, friends community)  and choose not to relocate to the county.
• Need affordable options for starting teachers — 30K salary.
• The 2008 flood caused a loss of many families that could not afford to rebuild.
• The Forest Hills Apartments (accommodated county residents) and did not lead to increases in enrollment.

Facebook Post of this Post – Additional Comments

• Need to apply a “holistic framework” which includes economic, environmental and social dimensions in equal parts. Nor any mention of “smart growth” which would include, green building materials, utilizing southern exposure at building sites to capture solar energy. It is hugely important that we drive the direction of how when and where our community grows. I know it was mentioned in yesterday’s community portion about free market driving the needs of the people, but again market would not exist if it were not for the government. We must not allow the bottom line to drive community develope if we are to form a more perfect union. A holistic framework must be put in place in order to produce positive economic, environmental and social change. — JoAnne Highbaugh

PLANS.

• If you fail to plan, you plan to fail — Benjamin Franklin
• Plans are nothing; planning is everything — Dwight D. Eisenhower

The context for a housing plan with a focus on Quality Of Life can be provided by a county strategic plan, Comprehensive Plan and Economic Plan.

The Vision 2010 and 2020 Plans supported by the Community Foundation would be components in a county strategic plan.  Leading Brown County is the revised Brown County Vision 2020: A Vision for the Future that was updated August 2014.

The County Comprehensive Plan (see 2012 and draft 1993 plans) provides a context for the Housing Study as will the  Economic Development Strategic Plan that is in the process of being developed.

•  The IU/SPEA Report – Economic Assessment of the County

TFP No, You Are Not on Indigenous Land – by Noah Smith

Nashville sewer rates and charges

2021-Open-Letter-From-Retired-Generals-and-Admirals-9-May-2021

READI-Informational-Revised-June7

April 19 2021 Agenda County Council

RDC Statement – Data Sharing – Commissioner Meeting 2020_08_19

ASQ Govt Div System Maturity Model

Brown County COVID-19 Letters

Brown County Maple Leaf Bldg Corp First Mortgage Note Feb 8 2018 3,500 ,000

Brown County Maple Leaf Bldg Corp First Mortgage Note Dec 27 2018 9,000,000

CVC – Pledging Innkeepers tax

In the Middle_ A Graduate Student in the (Farmers’) Marketplace of Ideas

2020304 Community Decision Making Process CDMP

Brown County Schools – Policy Citations

• Link to School Bylaws and Policies 

Brown County Inventory of Roads

2020_02_11 Pavement Inventory and Condition PDF

Instructions Spreadsheet – Inventory of Roads

As of  2020_02_11 9:00 a.m.  Pavement Inventory and Condition – State

Commentary_ Enjoying the Indiana sales tax _ Columns _ hoosiertimes.com

20191212_Draft Policy Brown County Commissioner Appointments

Herald-Times:

June 12, 2019. Indiana Daily Student (IDS),  2019 06 12 White supremacist allegations follow market farmers   (2019 06 12 White supremacist allegations follow market farmers

• (IDS) Letter alleges white supremacists sell at farmers’ market.
• Dec 8, 2019 Farmers’ market panel stresses First Amendment, limits to privatization _ Local _ hoosiertimes.com
• Dec 8, 2019 Community conversation focused on Bloomington Farmers’ Market _ Local _ hoosiertimes.com

Amazon Storefronts – Small-town entrepreneurs reach global customers

Brown County Parks and Rec Meeting – Audio 2019_11_20

Center for Sustainable Living, Bloomington IN.

2015-IRS From 990 EZ Center for Sustainable Living

Community Food System Development Model
IU Community Food Systems – Includes BC Fact Sheet

20190930 BFM Fact Sheet

IDEM Bill Monroe – Wastewater Treatment

• Bill Monroe’s Memorial Music Park and Campground WWTP-PEL Proposed -10-29-2014-lav
• Info Anti-Degradation Example Romney1

State Approved Treatment Plants

• Sep 20, 2016. BCD, Opry rebuilding: ‘We’ll get there.’ By Ben Kibbey -\
  • He has received approval from the state health department to construct a wastewater treatment plant to serve the new building.
  • The Opry needed a new wastewater solution because the state health department decided that the septic system couldn’t be reused. The system sits in the floodplain for Salt Creek, as does the entire property, so there was no suitable spot to build a new septic system.
  • Wayman had to get approval for a wastewater treatment plant instead, which is permitted in the floodplain.
  • Nearly a year ago, he was issued a permit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to begin building the plant.
  • That permit is good until Tuesday, Nov. 1.
• June 14, 2019. BCD. Owner of Little Nashville Opry land dies; status of rebuilding unclear By Suzannah Couch –
  • In 2013, the Brown County Council approved a $250,000, 10-year tax abatement to help Wayman secure financing to build his own wastewater treatment plant. The 10 years were not going to start until the building was finished, and the tax break would not carry forward if the Opry ceased to operate during those 10 years, according to newspaper archives.
  • At that time, the tax abatement was the first one the county had ever approved.

BCRSD Aug 13, 2019 Meeting – Recording – MP3

Calculation of Estimated Maximum Levy for Budget Year 2020 Brown – 190711 – 2020 Estimated Maximum Levy

Supplemental Distributions CY2019 190515 – STATE BUDGET AGENCY Memo – Supplemental Distribution – approved  Brown $ 393,122

190701 – State Budget Agency Memo – 2019 State Assessed Value Growth Quotient

July 15, 2019. 2019_07_16_08_51_35 Ordinance to Thaw the County Property Tax Maximim Levy

Uploaded July 15, 2019. 135N Property Deed

July 9, 2019 Brown County RSD Meeting – Audio

County Council Agenda July 15, 2019 County Council Agenda July 15, 2019 1

July 5, 2019. WTIU/WFIU. Nashville Temporarily Picks Consultants Over Full-Time Town Manager

June 25, 2019.  Town gets ‘strategic direction adviser’ By Sara Clifford –

2018 Timber Contract 2018 Timber Contract for 135N Overlooks 23

Terms and Definitions

LoWV – Who is Where in Brown County?

National Low Income Housing Coalition – Indiana 2019

REPORT RELEASED TODAY: AFFORDABLE HOUSING FURTHER OUT OF REACH FOR AVERAGE & LOW-INCOME HOOSIER RENTERS

The Indiana Institute for Working Families (Institute) is a program of the Indiana Community Action Association, Inc. (IN-CAA).

20190627 RDC – Jim Kemp Handout RDC Meeting 2019_06_27 – Jim Kemp Handout

Ray Dalio is the author of Principles: Life and Work and Co-Chief Investment Officer & Co-Chairman of Bridgewater Associates, L.P. His book Principles: Life and Work is an excellent guide that provides proven approaches for improvement.  Mr. Dalio posts articles on sections of the book at LinkedIn.

TED  How to build a company (ORGANIZATION) where the best ideas win | Ray Dalio  Note: This applies to organizations to include county government.

Principles For Success by Ray Dalio:  Video – An ultra mini-series adventure in 30 minutes and eight episodes.

Examples: Principles explained at LinkedIn.

Work Principle 1. Trust in Radical Truth and Radical Transparency Understanding what is true is essential for success, and being radically transparent about everything, including mistakes and weaknesses, helps create the understanding that leads to improvements. That’s not just a theory; we have put this into practice at Bridgewater for over forty years, so we know how it works. But like most things in life, being radically truthful and transparent has cons as well as pros, which I will describe as accurately as possible in this chapter.

RSD – Regional Sewer District

PER – Preliminary Engineering Report

A. Table of Contents & Section1
B. Sections 2 & 3  Need for Project (section 3.1) ;  Section 2.3  History and Condition of Helmsburg Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Section 3.2 Helmburg WWTP Needs (“2009” assessment); 3.3 Wastewater Flows and Loadings by areas …
C. Section 4  
D. Sections 5 & 6 – Alternative and Costs – Including Helmsburg Option
E. Sections 7, 8 & 9
F. Appendix A 
G. Appendix B
H. Appendix C
I. Appendix D – Support Letters – circa 1998
J. Appendix E 
K. Appendix F
L. Appendix G 
M. Appendix H 
N. Appendix I 
O. Appendix J

“One of the themes I’ve had from the pulpit for some time is that we’ve lost the ability to disagree with civility,” …  “A theme I’ve borrowed from someone else is that ‘Clarity is more important than agreement.’ That means let me understand your thinking, you understand my thinking, and my agenda isn’t to change your mind, and hopefully your agenda is the same. I think if we focus more on that as a society it would benefit us.”
— Benjamin Sendrow 

Adverse climate change can have effects on the State and County.  The post by Kyle Birkemeier on Brown County Matters referencing an article in the IndyStar titled:  ‘Substantial loss of life’: What the climate change report says about Indiana” reinforces the need and opportunity for a better way of discussing the tough topics.  Personal attacks or comments that are taken as personal attacks typically don’t lead to support for any needed solutions.

• “Its time to rethink our forest management in brown county, we need to petition the state to start taking immediate action, imagine the hit on our county if we have mass die-offs of our forests, as the climate report is predicting. – Kyle B.

A process determines the result and on controversial issues, the process can be very predictable and too often, does not lead to a  constructive way ahead. The following observations incorporate suggestions for improvement in the process:

1. People can agree on the ideal, e.g., a safe and healthy environment.  An ideal solution is one where everyone gains, or at least, are not any worse off in the long-term.
2.  People can agree on the facts. If they disagree, they can identify areas of disagreement and then choose to work to identify the root cause of the disagreement.  If the issues is still unresolvable, individuals can respectfully agree to disagree.
3. Of all the causes of the respective problem, people can find at least one that they can agree that they can support and agree to resolve.
4. There will most likely always be polarity (oppositive perspectives) on an issue – especially a controversial one where change affects many people.
5. TRUST.  Motives of those driving any change will most likely always include those representing individual and special interests.  This leads to a “Trust” issue and lack of trust is probably one of the greatest barriers to contributions to a  conflict.
   • Given the scope of the problem/solution to be addressed/implemented, identify the stakeholders, their needs, desired and expected outcomes.
6. There is a never a perfect solution.  Any alternative will have pros and cons.
7. Any effects from an agreed solution once implemented, needs to be periodically reviewed. What is working, what is not, what additional action is needed?
8. Example: Problem Resolution and Decision Making Process

REFERENCES

Nov 27, 2018. ‘Substantial loss of life’: What the climate change report says about Indiana “A global warming report released by the Trump administration predicts several severe outcomes for Hoosier health and economy.”

Purdue University –  Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment

• Hoosiers and other residents across the Midwest can expect increased flooding that will strain infrastructure; warmer, more humid conditions that will increase disease and worsen air quality; and reduced agricultural yields caused by heat, pests and a shifting growing season.
• Perhaps the most startling revelation from the report: The Midwest region “is projected to experience a substantial, yet avoidable, loss of life” by mid-century.

NASA – Global Climate Change.  Scientific consensus: Earth’s climate is warming 

• Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals¹ show that 97 percent or more of actively publishing climate scientists agree*: Climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities. In addition, most of the leading scientific organizations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position. 
• Footnote: *Technically, a “consensus” is a general agreement of opinion, but the scientific method steers us away from this to an objective framework. In science, facts or observations are explained by a hypothesis (a statement of a possible explanation for some natural phenomenon), which can then be tested and retested until it is refuted (or disproved).  ….  As scientists gather more observations, they will build off one explanation and add details to complete the picture. Eventually, a group of hypotheses might be integrated and generalized into a scientific theory, a scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena.

Note:  I would like to see more information regarding the conclusion that warming is “extremely likely”  due to human activities.  What are the assumptions behind the models?  How was the degree of certainty (extremely likely) determined? Wouldn’t you need to know how the “system” was designed to arrive at this conclusion?

Nov 27, 2018. The Hill.  Counter (conservative) perspective regarding government “predictions” on major issues:  Another government report is dead wrong on fragile state of our planet

Nov 28, 2018. The media got it all wrong on the new US climate report.  Bjorn Lomborg is president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center.

• Yes, we need to speed up the transition from fossil fuels by investing in green R&D. Even so, reporting on climate change needs to be grounded in reality. Exaggeration is understandable but dangerous, because it risks wasting resources on the wrong policy answers, and gives ammunition to those who would ignore this real challenge. 

Nov 8, 2018. Professor Jordan Peterson on climate change and climate policy at the Cambridge Union

Brown County Memories – Andy Rogers Recalls  About Andy Rogers”

“He stands at the center of Nashville’s dogged attempt to satisfy a tourist industry while retaining its soul—the thing that people have
lost in their own communities, the reason they come to visit in the first place.”

What is Brown “County’s” Economic Engine? Spoiler Alert: It is NOT tourism.
Updated Nov 14, 2021

Innkeepers Tax Revenue – Govt Oversight – Preventing Over-tourism

Property Assessments and Taxes 2012-2019. Assessed values increased from a range of 7% to 16% “EXCEPT” for the Town of Nashville where assessed values decreased by 1%.  The JUMP in 2019 assessments is significant.  Is this an outlier or an indicator of more to come?

Research – Tourism Impact Studies – Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB).

• 2019-EIS-Brown-County-rev-3-18-21
• 2021 Estimate – Number of Visitors:  We estimate 3 million visitors a year. We look at things like park gate fees, innkeeper tax, food and beverage tax and put a conservative pencil to it. For example, we can estimate the number of cars that came through the park based on gate fees and we estimate 2.5 people per car.  Jane Ellis

Terms

• Fact. An event, item of information, or state of affairs existing, observed, or known to have happened, and which is confirmed or validated to such an extent that it is considered ‘reality.’
• Assumption. A  thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.
• Myth an unfounded or false notion.

Question:  How much tourism is too much?   An issue that is addressed throughout the world. (google the question)

May 21, 2019. BCD, GUEST OPINION: Time will tell what music center’s impact will be, By Tim Clark

Jan 28, 2019. Brown County Matters – Facebook Post on BCD’s Jan 24 article (below).

• Presentation – 2017 Economic Impact of Tourism in Brown County developed by Rockport Analytics. What the report and article in the Brown County Democrat does not provide is context.- Jan 24, 2019, BCD. Economic impact study finds tourism growing
• The study identifies that tourism is growing and tourists spent $42.7 million which is good news for the owners of business establishments that cater to tourists. The report also states: “For every $67,102 spent on tourism in Brown County in 2017 supported a job resulting in an average wage of $19,259 in gross wages” and … “ Total Traveler Spending supported 636 Jobs. “
  • Jobs within the county by Industry
    • Government:  (county and state): 859
    • Tourism: 543.
    • Other industries:  1,840.
    • Total jobs within the county: 3,242.
    • Total individuals employed (inside and outside the county): 7,500. (census data).

Jan 24, 2019, BCD. Economic impact study finds tourism growing, by Suzanna Couch. If tourism in Brown County did not exist, in theory, each household would have to pay an additional $613 per year in taxes to make up the money it brings into the community.

• In “theory,” if cows had wings, they could fly  🙂
• The article includes a summary presented to the CVC by Jane Ellis that highlights the benefits to the owners of the businesses that cater to tourists.

 Tourism – Summary of Key Points

• The State of Indiana promotes tourism which generates revenue from sales taxes. County taxpayers absorb the cost of services and infrastructure related expenses.
• The State subsides the tourism industry by allowing Brown County to collect a 5% innkeeper’s tax that has to be used to promote more tourism.
• Revenue from property taxes is derived from assessed values.  Since 2011, the adjusted net assessed values have increased in all taxing areas (townships, conservancies) from 7-16%.  The exception is Nashville where assessed values declined by 1%.
• Economic impact studies commissioned by the State and County “estimate” that tourism can result in positive economic impacts.  These studies do not include any adverse effects from tourism that include the impact on local culture, crime, congestion, increased infrastructure costs, emergency services,  etc.
• Andy Rogers – Vision for a right balance of tourism within Brown County
  • People say, ‘Well, we can’t change.’ But we can change and still retain some of the flavor of Brown County. We need people to live here. I’m in the tourist business but we don’t want to turn this town over to the tourists. You can go to Gatlinburg if you want to see what happens to a town that turns it all over to business. It’s not a town anymore—it’s a shopping center. We need people here. This town needs to be alive.” 
  • “We don’t need to be slick and highly commercial. We need to be more country. Country is what we sell…. We need to maintain that. Once you destroy that, it won’t come back.” 
  • County tax policy is high income (5th highest in the State) and low property. You lose “country”, and you most likely lose residents which shifts the tax burden on to fewer people.
• Validation of the assumptions supporting estimates as to economic impact would be reflected in revenue from income and property taxes.
• A five-member Convention Visitors Commission (CVC) is established to manage the revenue from the innkeeper’s tax.  The CVC budget has to be reviewed and approved by the county council.  The CVC contracts with the Convention Visitors Burea (CVB) to manage the funds.
• Three of the five members of the CVC must be innkeepers.  Justification – Innkeepers collect the tax and would favor promotions that may lead to more overnight stays.
• Owners of tourism establishments benefit from investments of the revenue from the innkeeper’s tax through sales and increases in the asset values of their establishments.
• The county is funded primarily by income and property tax.  The county collects no income taxes if owners and employees live outside the county.
• Commercial properties including tourism business in Brown County, are not experiencing the annual increases in property taxes that are being experienced by residential property owners.  A contributing factor is that the sales of commercial properties are not at the volume where an increase in market value can be established and other assessment options are required.
• The sale of acreage for the Maple Leaf Music Venue sold for $145,000 an acre. This sale did not result in an increase in the assessed value of surrounding commercial properties. It is not included in assessing market trends,
• County citizens and taxpayers pick up the inconvenience and infrastructure costs associated with more visitors to include congestion, roads, police and emergency services.
• We will always have tourism that is “perceived” to be considered an asset for Nashville but can be a liability for the county (see Andy Rogers vision for tourism).

Additional Information:  

• An excellent report on Brown County Economics.  BCD Report: Local taxes, job options need further scrutiny by Sara Clifford/Brown County Democrat, Tuesday, May 16, 2017
• Sep 20, 2017, GUEST COLUMN: A study of tourism and economic sustainability By Tim Clark. Economic impact studies of tourism in Indiana and Brown County reinforce the benefits of sustaining a tourism industry. However, tourism, by itself, has not and cannot provide a sustainable economic future for Brown County. Further, too much tourism can have detrimental effects on the attributes that have attracted pioneers, artists, residents and visitors to Brown County since 1836.
• Census Data- County Employment by Sectors: 20181103 Employment Data Census Bureau
• Future of Local Economy – Includes articles and independent results from studies
• United Way –  ALICE Brown County Report Information on households that earn more than the federal poverty level but less than the basic cost of living for the county. Nashville at 54% has the highest score compared to the townships and conservancy.

Nov 20, 2018. Town consultant: ‘You can’t ask for a better budget’ As far as finances go, Nashville government couldn’t get any better. … That’s the message that Paige Sansone, a hired budget consultant, delivered to the Nashville Town Council earlier this month.

“The county commissioners also hired Umbaugh to do a financial plan for county government, but Sansone said she wasn’t personally working on that plan.”

Nashville-5-Year-Financial-Plan-11-1-18

Letter to the Editor – Brown County Democrat – Published Nov 21, 2018,  Letter: A ‘referendum’ on the Maple Leaf project?

In the November 14, 2018 column in the Brown County Democrat – “Incumbent commissioner to serve another term,” Commissioner Biddle expressed a belief that her re-election included a referendum on the Maple Performing Arts Center. I believe this is a premature conclusion.

The next two years may provide voters the information needed to assess the popularity of Maple Leaf. The 2020 county elections will also provide a better assessment on the wisdom of this project and its endorsement by the local Republican Party and its candidates. If voters as Commissioner Biddle believes, are supportive of the project, are they also supportive of the process that was used to fast-track this project?

The idea for the Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center was proposed by individuals who to their credit, admitted that they had a direct financial interest in the project. They determined the type of project (music venue), the scope, size, cost ($12.5 million), feasibility, design, and location. Even though the venue is located in one of the most congested areas of the county, these individuals (along with commissioners and all members of the county council) also chose not to contract for a traffic study.

Commissioners and council members with a timeline provided by the county attorneys, agreed to fast-track this process. They held no public meetings to solicit citizen input on the desirability of this project or to review other options that may have resulted in projects with a higher return on investment and less risk. They did not contract for an independent feasibility study on behalf of the taxpayers nor did they review the business plan at a meeting that was advertised to the public. The business plan would include projections as to profit and loss, break-even analysis, risk analysis, and cash flow requirements.

Further, since the commissioners and members of the council lack the expertise to review such a business plan for a music venue, a contract for an independent financial review would have also been advisable. The only public meetings that the commissioners and council announced to the public regarding this venue was to approve the project which they did as quickly as possible and with no discussion among themselves regarding any questions or concerns.

The collateral for the $12.5 million-dollar loan is revenue from the innkeeper’s tax which posed a very little risk to the lender. Further, there is a high probability that the county government would provide any additional funding needed. In fact, a newly elected councilman stated that he would not rule out a loan for Maple Leaf. Interesting comment despite a statement by the council president at the time of approval that he would not support any additional funding and would allow for default if this venue is not successful.

At this point – which may surprise many, I do hope this project is successful. I  do not accept that the ends (Maple Leaf) justify the means (fast-track process).  Criteria for success includes not requiring any taxpayer funding, the occurrence of adverse effects that could include traffic-related injuries and fatalities, any delays in providing vital emergency services, and effects that lead to reductions in county revenue and decreases in our tax base.