Origer read aloud an e-mail he had received from someone in management at BraunAbility, expressing concern about the proposed income-tax increase for public-safety funding, Origer relayed his own serious concerns about the unsustainability of continuing to rely more heavily on a shrinking income-tax base than on property taxes to fund county government.

Echoing the Braun leader’s worries, Origer contended that a sky-high income-tax rate, the highest in Indiana, discourages residency by young professionals, and pointed out that income taxpayers can move, but the property-tax base is stuck in place. Significant discussion ensued, with CDC vice president Lawrence Loehmer noting that across every county line, the rate is cheaper, and county councilman/CDC board member Doug Roth addressing the mere stigma of having the highest rate.

No action was taken, and there was no complete consensus, but board members generally agreed that, at the least, the county ought to look closely at its spending, revenues, and revenue-source balance. Some concern was expressed about whether this topic may come to dominate coffee-hour conversations.

In other business, the CDC board was updated on the recent BraunAbility acquisition by Investor AB. Origer reported he would attend a community-leader/media session with executive leadership and representatives of Patricia Industries, the soon-to-be-parent of the company — as would county commissioner/CDC board member Larry Brady and CDC secretary Gregg Malott. Loehmer said he would also accompany the group.

Origer expressed optimism about the news and remarked on his very positive first impressions of the leadership at Patricia.

Also in other business, Origer said that having met with Extension director Natalie Federer, and then reaching out to a former White County Extension officer, he, along with CDC project director Krysten Hinkle, have begun the early stages of starting a leadership-academy program for the community, which will be operated in collaboration with Pulaski County Extension, likely beginning early in 2016.

Old Business

2016 Budget: Origer noted that, with perhaps one exception, the county approved the CDC operating-funds budget as presented; Mrs. Hinkle was not approved for full-time employment, and county wages and salaries were frozen at 2015 rates for 2016.

Hometown Collaboration Initiative: Having recently conducted a tour of the four towns in the county and then a third meeting, the committee will hold one final meeting in mid-October to distill, with support from Purdue and Ball State advisors, various ideas into a workable final capstone-project plan that fits the program’s stipulations.

PC-CARE: After providing a brief review of this project’s history, Origer updated the members on progress. Having received the green light from the owners of the preferred property, he recently contacted an appraiser who has done work for the county in the past. Once the necessary appraisals have been completed, the director will seek the county commissioners’ permission to work with the county attorney on preparing an option on the land to provide some time in which to apply for a federal grant to assist with acquisition and infrastructure-development costs.

Career and Technical Education curriculum grant: The expected teacher for this program left West Central at the end of summer, leaving Origer to explore alternative options. He reported having met with a long-time manufacturing veteran and Ivy Tech instructor who may be able to help.

Starke/Pulaski Workforce Development Program grant: By consensus, members approved Origer to seek the commissioners’ official approval of a joint grant application with Starke County for funding to develop an adult-/incumbent-worker training program in maintenance and automation.

Unified Development Ordinance (zoning): The Advisory Plan Commission’s public hearing will be in late November, the ordinance will go before the Commissioners for adoption in early December, and it will presumably take effect Jan. 1.

Young professionals organization: Board member Dave Zeltwanger enquired as to the status of this project. Noting that interest has not been as strong as hoped, Origer reported that it’s currently on the backburner. Board member Becky Anspach suggested that Leadership Pulaski County could serve as a catalyst to increased interest, and the director agreed.

New Business

Public relations/outreach — CDC coffee hour: Within a couple of weeks, Origer will implement, on a trial basis, a weekly coffee hour, moving to a different town each week, to make himself more accessible to county residents. CDC board members Becky Anspach and Carolyn Hager offered suggestions for ensuring that the conversations be kept positive and constructive, and not slip into disruptions to business in the restaurants.

Public relations/outreach — 20th-anniversary celebration: Noting that the CDC was established in late 1995 and began operations in January 1996, Origer reported that plans are underway for a significant celebration at the annual economic-development summit. An invitation has already been extended to Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, and all past CDC members and employees will be receiving VIP invitations.

Potential schedule changes: In response to Origer’s suggestion, the members overwhelmingly agreed to start meetings earlier in the evening in 2016, probably at 6 p.m.; a final decision will be made at the November meeting. Members declined to shift the term-membership year from March-through-February to the calendar year.

Executive-director review: Reminding the members that his annual performance review will take place prior to the November meeting, Origer noted that he will soon distribute the evaluation form to the executive board.

Membership restructuring: Origer floated the idea of reserving one at-large seat for a representative from the manufacturing sector who holds a position on the plant floor, rather than in the front office, suggesting that such person would be recommended by someone in management, and that one restriction be that this person not work for the same company as another member of the Commission. Members responded positively to this change, which will have to be written into the by-laws. Continuing to reserve a seat for an appointee of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors was endorsed by consensus.

Human-resources group: Origer reported that, probably commencing after the first of the year, a Pulaski County human-resources group will be split off from the current manufacturing/workforce-development group to allow for a broader group of attendees to participate and to interact with each other. Occasional partnership with the group in Fulton County is being investigated.

Other Business:

The appointment of Carolyn Hager of the Medaryville Town Council to represent the Town of Medaryville on the CDC was approved.

Various board members reported on the following items of interest:

• Commissioner Brady: The Republican Party caucus selected John Behny to replace Steve VanDerAa as County Coroner. R.B. Walters was recently hired as county IT director and should be relied upon by all departments. Brady and Roth are working with him on improving technology related communications.
• Carolyn Hager: Forthcoming municipal elections have heightened levels of public comment at Medaryville town-council meetings. Negotiations continue between Medaryville and the Pulaski County Public Library on the future of the Medaryville library facility. Pearl Street near the funeral home was recently repaved.
• Councilor Roth: The council just wrapped up a painful 2016-budget process. Winamac Coil Spring has been a little slow in Kewanna, but busy in Winamac, where a potential investment may add to the 13-15 full-time positions currently held there.
• Darlene Mellon: The Francesville Fall Festival went successfully, with more vendors than ever before, more than 1,800 adults touring the Lincoln funeral train, and more than 3,000 attendees on Saturday alone. The Francesville Tribune office has closed, with production now taking place in the proprietor’s home.