During CDC director Nathan Origer’s annual budget meeting with the county council, prior discussion about merging economic- and community-development, planning and zoning, and building functions into one department were revisited, and county council president Jay Sullivan asked Origer to broach this topic with the CDC.

Origer told his board that he finds this to be worth considering, but is not certain if it is the wisest approach. CDC board member Lawrence Loehmer, who is also the county's Advisory Plan Commission president, expressed some skepticism. CDC board president Gregg Malott suggested that Origer prepare an organizational chart showing how such a department would be structured.

In other business regarding the CDC's 2017 budget, Origer reported that contrary to what he had initially had been told, the project coordinator position (held by Krysten Hinkle) has not been budgeted to be full-time in 2017. He noted that further conversation regarding the matter could be held with the county council and commissioners in joint session.

CDC board members reiterated their support for fully funding the position, and many said that they would try to attend the joint session in a show of support. The president and vice-president urged the director to prepare a report highlighting the office’s productivity, noting which accomplishments would not have occurred without the project coordinator, and where the CDC falls behind because of inadequate staffing.

The CDC board also discussed its future relationship with the Pulaski County Farmers' Market which the department helped to launch this summer.

Origer requested that if Hinkle works full-time in 2017, and possibly even if not, that the CDC and the Farmers’ Market enter into a formal contract for Mrs. Hinkle to serve as market master. This would allow Mrs. Hinkle to be paid for her considerable time investment, and for the CDC to be recognized as a corporate sponsor.

Hinkle explained that she would have undertaken this venture even without her current employment, but that all successful markets pay their market masters, and that she would like to be able to phase-out her own in-depth engagement. Board consensus favored the proposal.

Under old business, the CDC board considered the following:

Hometown Collaboration Initiative: Traffic counts have been completed under budget. Jasper and Fulton counties granted approval to include their roads in the routes, and Origer will seek Starke County’s approval. A soft-opening event could take place at TorchFest, but progress is running behind the aggressive schedule.  

PC-CARE (Pulaski County Center for Agriculture-Renewable Energy): Landowners have rejected the initial purchase-price cap established by the Advisory Commission on Industrial Development (ACID), so Origer asked if he could use the $50,000 appropriated in the budget for land acquisition to supplement whatever funds the ACID would ultimately allow him to expend out of the proceeds from the sale of County-owned farmland.

Significant discussion ensued regarding negotiating the purchase price, the method of disposing of the County Farm, what happens if the sale does not generate enough revenue, and the development potential of the Medaryville land. The director’s request was approved on the condition that the sale of the county farmland generates enough funds that, along with the $50,000, covers the entirety of the final agreed-upon purchase price.

During further discussion, board member Lawrence Loehmer reiterated the need for ensuring that adequate funds for purchase be secured prior to entering into any agreement. Board member Dave Zeltwanger cautioned against tying the director’s hands too tightly. Board member Andrew Fritz enquired regarding any potential residency requirements for purchase.

Career and Technical Education curriculum grant: The two Intro to Advanced Manufacturing classes at West Central High School have a combined enrollment of about 45 students; teacher Tyler DeMoss has reported a strong start. County attorney Kevin Tankersley has been working on a contract for the adjunct teacher to serve as an independent contractor for the county “on loan” to West Central. Because budget adjustments needed to accommodate the unexpected hiring of the adjunct had left the program unable to pay for all of the training modules, Origer requested between $6,000 and $7,000 from the CDC budget to support this program and to keep it compliant with state grant requirements. His request was approved.

Wage-and-benefit survey:While Origer waits to see what relevant data the county’s insurer could provide, the project remains on hold; the Pulaski County Human Resources Group will be evaluating it in October.

Francesville and Winamac Main Street organizations: Both communities’ groups have submitted their applications to Indiana Main Street and will soon learn of the state’s decisions. Origer, Darlene Mellon, and Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger and Town Manager Brad Zellers have recently attended the Frankfort Community Exchange. Mrs. Mellon observed there that good leadership gets things done. Origer agreed to Mrs. Mellon’s request to serve as part of Francesville’s UpTown Project leadership; he currently serves as secretary of Wander Our Winamac!

Adopt-a-river program: Until the office’s work burden has diminished, this project will remain on the backburner, which is also reasonable given the nearing of the end of tourism season.

Pulaski County TorchFest: Planning has come along nicely for the Oct. 7-9 Indiana Bicentennial festival in Winamac, with a wide variety of events and live entertainment scheduled. Staff requested access to no more than $3,000 from the Professional Services appropriation to help to cover costs. The request was approved.

Final business:       

Community Foundation community forum: The Community Foundation of Pulaski County will be conduct a forum at Bethel Bible Church to solicit community input on its strategic planning for the next few years. Mrs. Hinkle will represent the CDC, and members were encouraged to attend if able.

Francesville Fall Festival: Mrs. Mellon encouraged all in attendance to enjoy the festivities.

Membership Action: Origer presented two candidates for consideration for the at-large vacancy. Reiterating points of comparison between them, he noted that membership officer Larry Brady had recommended Beth Grund. The members voted to approve her appointment.