Deadlines: The deadline to submit needed signatures to run as an INDEPENDENT is noon, June 30, 2026. The county clerk can provide the forms and identify the number of required signatures, including other filing deadlines.
Phone: 812-988-5510
Location: Court House, 20 E Main Street, Nashville, IN 47448
If Ballard takes home at least 2% of the vote in November, that would put his newly-formed Lincoln Party on the ballot automatically for future elections. A 10% vote total for Ballard would mean the Lincoln Party would be able to hold primaries, as the Republican and Democratic parties do. Ballard said his early internal polling suggests he has the support of 23% of likely voters.
Gemini Prompt: Is there a website that provides information about the “Lincoln Party?”
Gemini Reply:
The Lincoln Party is a newly formed political entity in Indiana, created specifically for former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s 2026 campaign for Indiana Secretary of State.
While there is currently no standalone, permanent website for the “Lincoln Party” itself, you can find information regarding its platform and the campaign through the following resources:
Official Campaign Information
Greg Ballard Campaign: As the party’s founder and primary candidate, information about the Lincoln Party’s mission—focused on providing an “independent voice” and moving away from “toxic” partisan politics—is primarily disseminated through Ballard’s campaign communications.
Ballard’s Social Media: The campaign often uses social media platforms to coordinate the 37,000 signatures required by June 30, 2026, to secure a spot on the ballot under this new label.
News and Analysis
Because the party is in its “nascent” stage and technically won’t be fully established as an official party until it meets vote thresholds in the November election, local news outlets are the best source for current details:
The Indiana Citizen provides a detailed breakdown of why the party was named after Lincoln and the procedural benefits it would offer future candidates.
WFYI News maintains a tag for “Lincoln Party” stories, including interviews with political science experts about the party’s potential impact on the 2026 landscape.
Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) offers frequent updates on the signature collection progress and the party’s visibility in the current election cycle.
Key Facts About the Lincoln Party
Purpose: It was created to allow Ballard to run with a partisan-style label (as a “partisan affiliate”) rather than just a “true independent,” which helps with ballot visibility.
Future Impact: If Ballard receives at least 2% of the vote in the November 3, 2026, election, the Lincoln Party will become an officially recognized party in Indiana.This would allow future candidates to run under the label without the “onerous” requirement of collecting thousands of signatures.
Ideology: Ballard describes the party as a home for “Republicans of the old age” and independent-minded voters who feel the two major parties are currently “broken.” 1
Interview: Political science professor on Greg Ballard’s run and the ‘Lincoln Party’ – WFYI
Both the Democratic and Republican appointees on the Election Board reinforced that their Party is a private entity (a club) that can decide who can be on its ballot. They can create “any” criteria they want and expect a “county government” election board to enforce their decision.
Sure, it’s “possible” an individual can run and win as an independent in the general election, which, in our current system, is equivalent to telling someone to buy a lottery ticket if they want more money.
When is the centralization or monopoly of political power ever a good thing? The two-party system in the county is not leading to attracting the best candidates for the available offices. In fact, the system likely deters qualified people from getting involved at all.
An option is to move to recruit and support Independent candidates that focus on county interests over party interests.
Candidate Challenge: Election Board Hearing, Feb 19, 2026
The board upheld the challenge to Republican candidates Rich Stanley and Sherrie Mitchell and removed them from the primary ballot.
Rich Stanley plans to challenge the Election Board’s decision in circuit court. This legal step is necessary to build a case—if required—for a potential hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding alleged violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. (1)
The Election Board’s position supports the fact that political parties are considered private entities or clubs and do not need to provide justification when removing a candidate from their ballot. This position has been supported by federal and state courts.
Individuals can still run as Independents if they meet requirements established by both the parties and the state. In practice, winning as an Independent is similar to trying to get rich by buying a lottery ticket.
Justification? The irony is that Rich was removed from the Republican ballot because of his wife’s donation at a fundraiser for Independent candidate Greg Taggart. But the underlying reason was most likely his criticism of Mark Bowman’s leadership as Party Chair.
Taggart’s fundraiser was supported by leaders in the Republican Party despite concerns that it violated Rule 1-25. The precedent is that county partys’ within the state have banned candidates for up to 10 years for violating this rule. At a 2024 League of Women Voters forum, Taggart publicly stated that he was not a Republican and was defeated in the general election by Tim Clark, the Republican candidate.
Rule 1-25 states: “The term “Republican in Good-Standing” shall be defined as a Republican who supports Republican nominees and who does not actively or openly support another candidate against a Republican nominee.”
Those in attendance at the 2024 fundraiser who are on the 2026 primary Republican ballot include:
Scott Rudd (Commissioner)
Pearletta Banks (Clerk)
Greg Taggart (Washington Township Trustee)
Party leaders reportedly supporting the fundraiser included: Robyn Bowman (Vice Chair) and Tanner Bowman (Secretary). Mark Bowman is the Party Chair.
Rule 1-25, in practice, can be overridden by “unwritten rules.” The written rules may be selectively applied—enforced for some and ignored for others.
The “unwritten rules” described by Republican Party leadership include the fact that Individuals may be deemed in “bad standing,” and therefore ineligible to run as Republicans, for criticizing party officials, previously supporting (no time limit) a non-Republican candidate, or for other perceived infractions.
Checks and balances on power are meant to come from Precinct and Vice Precinct Committee members—but these positions can be appointed by the Party Chair. Vacancies may also remain unfilled, potentially limiting opposition. History shows that centralized power can erode trust and accountability over time. Obtaining a list of the Precinct and Vice Precinct committee members has required signing a non-disclosure agreement.
The cost? A monopoly on political power such as exists in Brown County, reduces competition, can contribute to waste, inefficiencies, and moral corruption, and can limit the number of people that want to be involved in county government. Moral corruption refers to the decline of ethical standards and principles, leading individuals or political clubs to engage in immoral or unethical behavior.
A system perceived as corrupt risks undermining the ethics and integrity of those who operate within it—sometimes without them even realizing it.
A Way Ahead?
Organizations like Independent Indiana (IndependentIndiana.org) are working to challenge the system by supporting independent candidates. The belief is that independent candidates may be more focused on serving their communities rather than party structures or special interests. America’s Founding Fathers warned that political factions could become contrary to the intent of the Constitution.
The Brown County Leader Network (browncountyleadernetwork.com) also introduces methods and tools for improving systems and supporting structural reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and improving performance.
The challenge isn’t just about one candidate—it’s about fairness, transparency, and the future of representative government.
Footnotes:
Rich Stanley, along with Tim Clark, is challenging a previous ruling that they are not in Good Standing with the party and cannot run as Republicans for five years. This decision was challenged in federal court, which ruled in favor of the Party and is also being challenged.
Clark, Stanley lawsuit dismissed in federal court, Brown County Democrat. “Clark and Stanley have now formally appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, asking the higher court to reverse the decision and allow their case to proceed.”
The commissioners decided to keep two advanced life support ambulances instead of reducing the service. Advanced life support crews can provide a higher level of emergency treatment than basic crews. Commissioner Kevin Patrick said there was not enough time to design a different system for 2027 without risking a drop in service.
The commissioners do plan to require better information from the ambulance provider, including the number of runs, response times and the areas served. Other service models may be studied, but Patrick said a major change could take one or two years.
Commissioner Tim Clark said he had no issue using the money for Helmsburg infrastructure. He said the county had previously used some sock factory money for a Helmsburg stormwater project and has also supported sewer districts with ARPA funding. Clark said Helmsburg received $339,489.72 in ARPA money, while the Brown County Regional Sewer
District received $300,000.
The commission reviewed a memorandum of understanding with the Brown County Commissioners. The agreement is meant to set out how the two bodies would work together on the comprehensive plan. The county has already spent time on the plan, but commissioners have wanted more involvement and more public engagement before moving forward.
Brown County among the top 5 in the state on median home prices. “Scenics & Amenities Premium: Brown County and Monroe County stand out in Southern Indiana, commanding high median prices due to limited real estate inventory, scenic topography, and proximity to Indiana University.”
A map displayed at the Mountain Tea State Forest public information meeting shows the access routes studied by the Indiana Department of Transportation…
July 24, 2026. Commissioners back Deam expansion letter in split vote – Brown County Democrat. Jeff Stant, Hoosier National Forest program adviser for the Indiana Forest Alliance, gave commissioners a recap of the proposal and responded to …
Additional comment: Commissioner Sanders and I voted Yes on the Letter of Support. Commissioner Patrick voted No with the position of leaving the area as it is. The proposed legislation will be subject to debate in the House and Senate. A primary argument against it is that designating a “Wilderness Area” prevents forest management, including some logging, which helps mitigate fires and leads to the planting of higher-quality trees such as White Oak. There are also advocates for reducing federal and state-owned land that can be better utilized by the private sector.
Over half of the land in Brown County is non-taxable and includes land owned by the Federal and State Governments and non-profits. Land can also be placed in the “classified forest category,” which reduces property tax. Although half the land is non-taxable, this feature retains and attracts new residents as well as visitors to Brown County.
Income and property tax are major sources of revenue for the county. The county’s tax policy is a high income tax rate (among the highest in the State) and low property tax (among the lowest in the State). On taxable income, tourism accounts for around 20 million in gross wages. The Adjusted Gross Income of all residents is over 500 million.
July 17, 2026. Election lawsuit drives new $50K legal funding request – Brown County Democrat. Banks said the lawsuit, which is now before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, has already used up the legal money set aside for the …
The Issue (tjc): Can a county government election board (funded with tax dollars) enforce the application of arbitrary and discriminatory rules of a self-described political club (local Republican Party)? Is the state/county exempt from the Constitution and complaince with the 1st and 14th amendments? This case has the potential of being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
County Council: Tourism spending vs Public Safety State to hold information meeting for Pumpkin Ridge Road project – The Republic News
The Republic News
The meeting will take place at Abe Martin Lodge in Melodeon Hall, 1405 IN-46 West Nashville … Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268. Featured Local …INDOT, DNR to host public information meeting for Mountain Tea State Forest access … – WBIW
WBIW
BROWN COUNTY – The Indiana Department of … The project aims to enhance safety and accessibility along Pumpkin Ridge Road, located in …
Brown County Commissioner Tim Clark said he does not have any comment to provide at this time; he said he is in the process of collecting and analyzing data to better understand the challenges the departments are facing. Nashville Town Manager Sandie Jones declined a request for interview
The discussion then shifted to the county’s long-delayed comprehensive plan, where it became clear there is still uncertainty about how to move forward. Commission members said they have been working on a draft plan for years, but county commissioners have indicated they want changes and more public input before adopting it. That has left the process in limbo, with no final document in place to guide zoning decisions. Some members expressed frustration that the work already completed may not be enough on its own.
Several members also emphasized that the commissioners appear to want broader public involvement and potentially a revised version of the plan, rather than simply adopting the draft as written. A joint meeting between the plan commission and county commissioners is now scheduled for next month to discuss next steps and determine whether the existing draft will be revised or replaced altogether. That will be the only item on the Plan Commission’s next agenda in April.
Andi Rogers-Bartels, who owns multiple restaurants, rental properties and retail spaces in Nashville, said she wanted to serve on the CVC to help ensure tourism dollars are used in ways that benefit both visitors and residents. She pointed to the recent increase in the innkeeper’s tax and said, “It’s going to be an important year with the new three percent raise in the tax. We really need to figure out what we as a community want and what we can do with that extra three percent.” She cautioned against simply shifting entire budgets between departments, telling the council, “It can’t just be a whole move of the budget from one entity to another. It’s got to be dissected and looked at a little closer.”
Jan 13, 2026. County Council Meeting (Jan 8, 2026). County Council rehashes 2026 budget after process breakdowns, January 13, 2026 by Courtney Hughett.
From 2012 to 2018, residential assessed values increased by less than 4% per year. But beginning in 2019, annual increases exceeded 8%, fueled largely by rapid growth in home market values that far outpaced other property types. As market values surged, the property tax burden shifted disproportionately onto homeowners.
To rebalance the system, SEA 1 phases in an increase to the homeowners’ deduction, ultimately allowing homeowners to deduct 67% of their home’s market value by 2031. At that point, homeowners will pay taxes on only 33% of their home’s assessed value. This phased-in change will gradually shift some of the tax burden back to other property classes, restoring balance to the system.
Internal Controls – Prevention of Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and Mismanagement. Both the state and federal governments have Internal control-related statutes, policies, and processes to provide assurance to citizens that tax dollars are used effectively and efficiently.
County – Need for a Management Internal Control Program (MICO). Unfortunately, at the County level, the State Board of Accounts’ (SBOA) scope of review of internal controls is primarily focused on finances rather than operations. Compliance by county offices is generally voluntary. This puts the burden on county citizens to expect the county to develop and review internal controls, including providing an annual statement of assurance that the controls are adequate and identifies the need for a County Management Internal Control Program (MICP).
Credit Rating:The two-notch downgrade reflects our view of heightened vulnerability in management following continuous and numerous internal control findings.
Audit Report: Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
In our opinion, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the Basis for Adverse and Unmodified Opinions section of our report, the financial statement referred to above does not present fairly, the financial position and results of operations of the County as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Audit Report: Opinion on “Regulatory” Basis of Accounting (1)
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position and results of operations of the County, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, in accordance with the financial reporting provisions of the Indiana State Board of Accounts described in Note 1.
This is a special investigation report for the Brown County (County) Surveyor’s Office, for the period November 1, 2018 to December 31, 2024, and is in addition to any other report for the County as required under Indiana Code 5-11-1. All reports pertaining to the County may be found at http://www.in.gov/sboa/.
We performed procedures to determine compliance with applicable Indiana laws and uniform compliance guidelines established by the Indiana State Board of Accounts and were limited to records associated with the Surveyor’s Corner Perpetuation Fund. The Results and Comments contained herein describe the identified reportable instances of noncompliance found as a result of these procedures. Our tests were not designed to identify all instances of noncompliance; therefore, noncompliance may exist that is unidentified.
“The Green Book may also be adopted by state, local, and quasi-governmental entities, as well as not-for-profit organizations, as a framework for an internal control system.”
Counties. “Internal controls are designed by the county offices based on the identified risks of not achieving their objectives and the available resources to address those risks.”
Federal. At the federal level, statutes and policies include the following:
BCM – Press Release – Arrest of former county Surveyor. Background: Following the arrest of the former surveyor (an elected position), various county offices received numerous calls expressing concern and requesting more details. With the advice of our attorney, the Board of Commissioners issued a press release to provide a county response.
“… unresolved legal costs connected with employee compensation matters…” The information was presented out of context and without an understanding of the total situation and the facts.
An executive session was held with the council on Friday, Sept 19, 2025, and the issues were explained and discussed, which led to better understanding and support. The council has no authority to dictate the decisions commissioners should make, which require legal support.
A recurring theme of the RDC discussion was the need to update the county’s comprehensive plan with real community input beyond Nashville. Commissioner Clark told the Redevelopment Commission that their role could be to help with the public engagement side of the update. Members agreed that the plan should be broken down by community, Helmsburg, Gnaw Bone, Elkinsville, Bean Blossom, Story, and others, so that each area of the county has the chance to say what it wants, rather than Nashville dominating the process. Some communities, Clark said, are adamant that they want to be left alone, and that preference also needs to be respected.
The group discussed holding open-house style sessions in familiar places, such as libraries, churches, and fire stations, where residents could write down or speak about what they want and don’t want in their neighborhoods. Clark noted that the surest way to pack a meeting room is to change something close to home, especially zoning, because “people don’t know what zoning really means until it changes next door.” That reality, combined with the speed at which rumors and social media can spread, led members to emphasize the need for plain, clear communication. They said the county has to focus on the “why, what, how, and who” of any proposal so that misinformation doesn’t take hold before facts do.
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
In 2022, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) developed a concept for a road upgrade. Aug 9, 2022Draft Design Letter for project
The plan was supported by the previous Brown County commissioners.
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.
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.
Do investments in public safety (police, fire, and medical services) support the promotion, development, and growth of conventions and visitation in a county? ChatGPT said: Yes — investments in public safety very often support the promotion, development, and growth of conventions and visitation in a county, though the link is partly direct and partly indirect. ChatGPT Tourism and Public Safety
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)
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.
July 21, 2025. Community Foundation awarded $63,000 in scholarships in 2024. By Dakota Bruton. “Our theme this year was based around our goal of ‘30 by 30’, or 30 million by 2030 to grow our endowment balance to help address the growing needs in Brown County,”
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 Agreementwas 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.
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.
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).
This letter is in response to the article by Dakota Bruton, “Tilton property back on docket,” Wed, May 21, 2025. This rezoning issue involves decisions on the type of development that citizens want to support in their respective areas and the process they expect to be followed to ensure the best decisions for the county.
In this case, the initial zoning change of the property was fromSecondary Residential (R2), Floodplain, and Floodway to General Business (GB), Floodplain, and Floodway. The change was opposed by surrounding property owners and residents, leading to legal action to stop the change. The case has been delayed pending the decision by the commissioners to reverse the change.
Typically, for many land transactions, before an owner purchases a property with the intent to change the zoning, they can choose to make the purchase subject to pre-approval of the change. This helps reduce financial risk, validates the desirability of the change by citizens, and helps to establish a fair market value for the land. This practice (pre-approval) was not followed in this case, as it was a private transaction. The estimated increase in the value of the change to GB by Tilton is speculative.
A decision not to obtain preapproval before purchase can also reinforce the perception that a change is expected to be approved if it is favored by two commissioners, despite any negative recommendations from the Area Plan Commission (APC) and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
In this case, Commissioner Wolpert spoke on behalf of the change and projects at the November 19, 2024, APC meeting. It was later confirmed that his vote to approve the zoning did not represent a conflict of interest. Commissioner Pittman typically justified changes to GB if the property was accessible from a state highway. This was not a credible justification in this case.
Pittman and Wolpert refused to delay the vote at the Dec 4, 2024, commissioner meeting to allow consideration of the changes being made to the Nashville and Brown County Comprehensive Plans. Comprehensive Plans provide guidance on zoning. Once the property was rezoned, the BZA was required to review the proposed projects – a private recreational development and an RV travel trailer park. At their meeting on January 29, 2025, the BZA did not approve either project. These projects provided justification for the change in zoning.
On the issues that Tilton raised in public meetings, which were also referenced in the article, a mistake was made on the APC application form, where I signed as an owner as opposed to the petitioner. This error was acknowledged as a mistake. The error was not considered relevant by the Planning Director, the APC, the APC attorney, and the County Attorney. Other comments Tilton made regarding notification were also determined not to be relevant since he was present at the APC meetings on the proposed changes. He also acknowledges attending the March 5 commissioner meeting, where the commissioners voted 2 to 1 for the petition to reverse the zoning change.
Regarding the change in commissioner meeting dates to decide on the rezoning, there was some misunderstanding regarding legal requirements, and commissioners were informed that there is a 10-day public notification requirement.
A question for citizens is, when a justification for zoning is based on a change that the APC did not recommend, had significant community opposition, and the BZA did not approve either of the proposed projects, what is the appropriate course of action? In this case, options included a petition submitted by the commissioners to reverse the change back to its original version.
At the commissioner meeting on June 18, 2025, citizens will be provided with the opportunity to briefly share their comments. Commissioners and the owner, Jimmy Tilton, representing William Jacob Capital, LLC, will have more time to present their arguments.
You can also share your opinion with the commissioners via email at commissioners@browncounty-in.gov
Divide the parcel into a maximum of 22 lots. Construct a maximum of 22 new homes in 7 years.
3 Homes/Year (Years 1 – 6); 4 Homes in Year 7
Avg 1200 – 1500 sq ft per home
3-Bed/2 Bath OR 4-Bed/2 Bath
Dependent upon selected families
Avg Appraisal Estimate: $240k – $300k +/-
Approximately 1,350’ of “Old County Road #2” be added back onto the Brown County Highway Department’s roadway inventory.
Appointments – Boards and Commissions
Correction: Letter of interest for board and commissioner appointments. Andi Bartels applied for a CVC position – not the RDC.
CVC – Andy Szakaly and Jimmie Tilton – appointed by the previous Board of Commissioners and chose to remain on the CVC. Previous commissioners did not advertise the openings or consider all those who applied.
RDC: Jeremiah Reichmann, Chris Schneider, Alyn Brown
Correction: Andi Bartels applied for a CVC position – not the RDC.
Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) – Appointment of Mathew Nelson.
Community Corrections – No applicants
Parks and Rec Board – Kyle Wagers
Property Tax Board of Appeals (PTBOA) – No applicants. Desired capabilities include experience in property appraisals.
Indiana Secretary of State – “Who’s On The Ballot” – Identify your District, Precinct, Township …
Your Precinct and District?The county GIS Map has a “layer” that identifies voter precincts. To identify Commissioner Districts, select “Index” and then County Commissioner Districts.
Local Politics.Do you know the names of your PC and VPC? Do they live in your precinct? What happens on March 1, 2025?
There are 11 political precincts in Brown County. Republican Precinct Committeemen (PC) are elected in the primary in presidential election years. The Democrat elections for their precinct committeemen are in the off-years.
Elections for new officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) in the Brown County GOP are March 1, 2025. Precinct (PC) and Vice Precinct Committee (VPC) members are allowed to vote.
The Chair can and does appoint PC and VPCs” to fill vacancies, and these individuals do not have to live in the precinct. Although PCs can select their VPCs, many allow the Chair to make the appointments, thus stacking the deck to help control who gets elected . Vacancies – Elected Offices. Only PCs vote to fill a vacancy in an elected office. Blake Wolpert received 7/11 votes to fill the Commissioner Vacancy when Chuck Braden resigned.
So what? The Chair can influence who should run for office, be appointed to boards and commissions, who should even get county government jobs, and …. be considered “In Good Standing.”
