12 November 2024 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes
Present: Jim Deaton, Chairman, Dave Deddens, Jim Mansfield, Mark Dole in Florida and on the phone for meeting , and Daryl Cutter (non- voting school board member)
ABSENT: Jim Helms
Also present:Sue Hayden, county administrator and minute taker, Andrea Ewan, attorney, Connie Fromhold, Auditor and DCRC treasurer.
There was a full room this morning. Approximately 60 plus Brights residents were present.
Title VI statement read as legally required.
EXECUTIVE SESSION @ 8:30 a.m. preceded this meeting
IC §5-14-1.5-6.1(b) (2) (D) which pertains to discussing strategy with the respect to the purchase or lease of real property by the governing body up to the time a contract or option to purchase or lease is executed by the parties;
IC § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b) (4) (A) to discuss interviews and negotiations with industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or commercial prospects by the Indiana economic development corporation, the office of tourism development, the Indiana finance authority, an economic development commission, a local economic development organization (as defined in IC 5-28-11-2(3)), or a governing body of a political subdivision
Order of Agenda May be altered to accommodate advertised time of Public Hearing
Memorandum for Executive Session- Board
Action from Executive Session- ACCEPTED THE CUSHMAN WAKEFIELD CONTRACT FOR TIF
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-October 8th- APPROVED
CLAIMS AND FINANCIALS
Claims: $3,800.00 to BakerTilly for TIF neutralization and $320.00 to Bayer Becker for 10/8/24 meeting attendance. Total: $4,120.00- APPROVED
PUBLIC HEARING 9:10 a.m. - Regarding the Bright Economic Development Plan, Economic Development Area, and Allocation Area
Open Public Hearing- Deaton explained the process about TIF process. First Identify and investigate a need for a TIF, Identify area for the TIF plan. Find out if TIF plan corresponds to the County Master Plan. Then g to Commissioners and see if they approve. We do not talk to teh public until we know we can do it.
This is the first time we are doing that. This is the first time we are doing it this way- because it is a different kind of TIF. The last thing needed is a confirmation resolution.
We are a 5 member board and we are appointed by Commissioners and Council- and are all volunteers.
Deaton - also stated the definition of a TIF district and then showed a diargam of how the TIF works. The increase in tax base after the TIF start date goes to DCRC for use in that TIF. They use it for infrastructure, property , public safety, amenities, incentives and work force development. Ij Bright its s for infrastructure and placemaking. They contacted Becker Bayer to investigate the need and deficiencies. They listed the same ones that are in the study. They are TIFing mainly for infrastructure due to stormwater issues and road deficiencies along Professional Park Drive etc. They are also looking at Placemaking investments like trail widening in the Park, street widening, street lights and crosswalks. The money comes from commercial and industrial development.
The But/For But for the TIF, his project or investment would not take place.
The study was done in a small area - but the blue lone area is the area they can spend the money.
Talked about TIF for 25 years and then taxes go back to the county. He did talk about the entities receiving the property tax
$48,440 annually will come from this per Baker Tilley Analysis.
He also showed the increased revenue from the new industries also.
Then showed what happens with no TIF.
TIF does not increase property taxes per Purdue Research Center.
Income for day to day in schools does not come from property tax.
$2.85 million is not obligated o be spent.
He said it will not increase property taxes. New developments will have nothing to do with that - unless it is something we haven’t seen. Potential investment in the Bright area will increase as people will want to live there as infrastructure and amenities improve.
The TIF will require them to hire a professional plan for Bright. If you were an incorporated community, you would be doing this- but we are doing it as you are in the county and that is why we are doing this.
Open for Public Comments-
Patricia Little: Township trustee- this TIF is not in her township. Denise is the Harrison Township Trustee which is in TIF. The TIF flatlines what the township will receive for 25 years. Trustees use this for public safety services etc. So far no TIF money has been used for the trustee services for public safety from the county TIFs. She thinks elected representative should have a seat at the table. This is the 3rd TIF district that goes on Harrison Township.
Denise- Harrison Township trustee. I just found out about this. She would like to know about this. We have a TIF in West Harrison where Whitewater Mills located. They had to contract with West Harrison to cover that plant for Fire Protection. She talked about why the school board member was on the board but not a trustee.
Chief Fire/EMS Kendall Eberhadt- We only get funding from township trustees for fire. Gross income is $300,000/yr and it does not cover us. There is EMS funding in the new county LIT. We are at a crossroads- our run numbers have increased due to development. 1600 runs last year. Does anyone know what a fore truck costs- $1,000,000. This does not include supplies and tools. We respond to Harrison calls. We are not against the TIF, but we want someone to take notice of fire dept and EMS- since it is on the list of things you can fund include us. <Applause>
Brian DeBruler- Study of CFI Clark County School Corp 2019 speaking to the school funding effects- similar to the Fire Chief’s thoughts.
Drove from Fla to get to this meeting. 2019 - 894 TIFs in the county. Majority operate day cities and towns.Lived in Bright for 52 years. Mansfield and Dole live in Bright. He asked questions regarding property acquisition. No intention to do that per Deaton. Referenced the I-74 corridor study. People say they want more rural area and at some point we will cross over chatline where people no longer see it as an escape a desirable place. Deaton stopped him at 5 months with him being able to come back up later. <Applause>
Deaton said we agree with much that is being said.
Henry Caudill- Tri Township Water District member. Seems like it is a done deal and why have we not been contacted. We spent over $1,000,000 for a new tower. Is this going to take the people’s property? Why were we not aware?
Deaton- We are not in charge of people moving not Bright and we should not have done this until this point.
Richard Barnes ( goes by Matt) - Money of $48,000 per year- won’t cover drainage ditches. We are talking about a lot of money that is needed for the plan. There would be have to e a lot of business investment to get the plan done. Then there is police, fire, ems, etc. Taxes - sooner or later- are going to be the answer. Cedes his time to Brian De Bruler.
Deaton- We can only do whatever we can do with what ever have.
Brian De Bruler- The focus of this is to address issues on Professional Park Drive. At Plan Commission for the 12 townhouses proposed there residents from Memorial Drive and McGrue Drive. At the meeting involving this it was brought up about the optics of having one of the primary people had family and another one from One Dearborn were both the only bidders for the 1 acre property with a plan. De Bruler said that maybe the community valued the greenspace and not developed. Deaton said that it needs to be mowed and Deddens said the Park was not interested.
Cutter-School Funding was explained better after De Bruler stated that 150 homes approved in Grubbs Estates and thus there will need more school space. Cutter acknowledged that the property taxes could go for
Shelly from Merrilees- Where is the property from the road coming from for the road widening? Neither she nor Bob from Auto Center have no property to give.
Regina from that road also has issues with road widening and asked about all thee xempt people on this property list. Like county lands and churches.
Man from Bright- did not catch his name- he has sat through Planning meetings over property on that road that HE himself had to pay to fix up road etc. in 2015 to build and now the townhomes are getting TIF so they can build. He set up the entire issue of you saying there is the TIF to fix roads were not tied to the townhouses.He moved to Bright in 2012- and he had thought to buy that townhouse 1 acre because Perleberg told him that it had to start to be built in a 5 month window. He was adamant that this TIF was started because of the townhouses that Perleberg's brother was planning to build.
Jim Mansfield- Said he wants to keep the money up in Bright. That’s why he wants to be on this board. He does not want to incorporate. That would really raise taxes.
Patricia Little- The DCRC can borrow money against the future TIF money. The hospital office building up there needs this also.
Deaton- Yes there are ways to get things done. Perleberg reminded him that DCRC has cash on hand.
Hilda Jimenez read her letter that was previously submitted. She had outlined all her concerns. <Applause> For the complete letter see the post following these meeting notes. She had sent it as she had to work today- but later decided that this issue was too important and took part of the day off work.
Close Public Comments
Close Public Hearing- Deaton said there would be no vote this morning on this- so most of the public departed for work/home. After they left the board voted to TABLE.
Confirmatory Resolution 2024-DCRC-004 for Bright TIF- TABLED until the next DCRC meeting - which is in December unless they call a special meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
2025 Budget for Spending Plan- Perleberg said this has to be done for the state per new law. This is to be filed with DLGF. He worked on it with consultation with Deaton. Approved.
Bayer Becker Update-Working on a task regarding the billboards. Have to work with Wingate and Dyke Industries and DCRC property. Have to get trees trimmed? Approved $5400
Cushman Wakefield Contract- done above after Executive session
NEW BUSINESS:
ONE DEARBORN REPORT:
Stellar Pathways and DCRC Match- $100,000 approved for Bright MeadowsPark coming out of the cash balance fund. Approved.
Gage Pace- One Dearborn -DCRC Approved getting an appraisal for the 3 acre site on Campus Dr by the hospital.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT- nothing more
OTHER BUSINESS- none
ADJOURNMENT - 11 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
