[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6139888,"mediaKeyId","5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f","parentId",5579576,"title","Parks staff outlines financial sustainability plan as town adviser warns of state law changes affecting local revenues","audioSeconds",340,"startMs",5465000,"endMs",5805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f&start=5465&end=5805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f/thumbnail_5465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6139888/Town-of-Zionsville/Boone-County/Indiana/Parks-staff-outlines-financial-sustainability-plan-as-town-adviser-warns-of-state-law-changes-affecting-local-revenues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139888-852cf4bb3aba99da1ea168ed937cc0ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418212&Signature=ROQBULh6ST9dNp8ZSO3u9TkNeEKHrdNx2vdad4XIIAPTH-66xWjJWRsVmDEGBhmamK-xZY-waydOlaKfQQ-V10dHQjXWV4~8lY4EK1jge1PLDNqv8P19G0ejcNfMupAbwa7GYBbqm6K6QvBvAzmHbCRt2Pt8BIr2lUJP4lTzRVNxWENm6HMh-J9Q77qlweQJwvK-LvmkC5ADcR9HuxW~Dpn0D-gVmvyxgKlBHEqwre0j0MDcNMsFclDLKEOSMxD2h50ehr~Fejnd1jN6Et9phn6uMJZkr~XYUwvZaj1SNCfKs4d2QbysF2sLoN3ii72hEbqQBAMkTTuZVZh345fhZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Zionsville, IN","date","2025-08-14T14:09:00Z","article","ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — Parks staff told the Park and Recreation Board on Aug. 13 they are drafting a financial sustainability policy to help the department maintain service levels amid constrained local revenue, and the town's financial adviser briefed the board on recent state legislation that will change how local governments receive certain revenues.
Parks staff said the work will include a review of operational efficiencies, diversification of revenue sources (grants, donations, program fees and leases), and a proposed fee schedule that better reflects the cost of delivering services while protecting access for residents with financial barriers.
Tim Berry of Crowe Financial, the town's adviser, told the board the General Assembly's Senate Bill 1 (enacted earlier in the year) provided a homestead credit and limited annual levy growth in the near term, and it also restructures local income taxes beginning in 2027. Berry said the new law limits annual levy growth to no more than 4% in the short term and requires local governments to take positive annual action to adopt a local income-tax rate in the future if they wish to continue receiving those dollars.
Berry said Zionsville historically receives about 7–8% of town expenditures for parks and that under the current five-year budget plan parks spending as a percentage of the town's overall budget may modestly decline to about 6% depending on growth and council decisions.
Parks staff said they will return to the board next month with draft fee-structure proposals, and they are seeking board input during the development process.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8/13/2025 Zionsville Board of Parks and Recreation Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Parks staff previewed a financial sustainability policy to diversify revenue sources and align fees with operating costs. Town financial adviser Tim Berry briefed the board on Senate Bill 1 and how changes to Indiana's property-tax and local-income-tax rules could constrain local revenues in coming years.","taxTitle","Town of Zionsville, Boone County, Indiana","taxId",55519,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139893,"Board approves utility easement to bring power to Carpenter Nature Preserve after reroute avoids conservation easements",70,5354000,5424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f&start=5354&end=5424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f/thumbnail_5354000.jpg","/articles/6139893/Town-of-Zionsville/Boone-County/Indiana/Board-approves-utility-easement-to-bring-power-to-Carpenter-Nature-Preserve-after-reroute-avoids-conservation-easements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139893-d177a082c7da1af19a57c1df2ea6e4ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418212&Signature=X7ILGLzAQT054t1Widlix1ha-T6-FFQRuqrhZRXR2EqtqP8nej1eOUAyqhu-ENfpm8zdBIY~1dVOtTx5oqZ~u8~n4JhIlAnCIeF-eXSHLSNGrtFG4ZaX1poNLEvUKS3hwJW-7MdRgf30Wop42sjw89ZY2SfXlbpx30cZY16~0tD1HZd2rXkgzVs3rYJ0TscU693QOgAoKOr4PYXp9IGUHjamLnyPF9BFg6HIHgk6F761J02kJ20H6I2o7qLwAqDUxabcIgs52sugTWpSOADfLSFVUEZssyGvo61bOUSyF7Jwkp-ywjoKUyRIg1gElF7bA7GmkIccODE6UBun0STQDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — The Park and Recreation Board on Aug. 13 approved a utility easement with Duke Energy that will provide power to the Carpenter Nature Preserve for the site's phase 1 development.
Parks staff told the board earlier in the meeting that initial proposed routing conflicted with conservation easements on portions of the preserve. After coordinating with Duke, staff said the utility agreed to a reroute that avoids protected areas and will not increase project cost, allowing the site to receive electrical service without compromising conservation restrictions.
The board voted to approve the easement and authorize the town signatory to execute the document for recording with the utility. The vote was taken by roll call and passed with the members present. Jared said staff will present the executed easement to Duke for recording and proceed with project preparations.
The action clears a key infrastructure step for Carpenter Nature Preserve's phase 1 work and reduces a potential permitting conflict with conservation protections that the town previously placed on the site.
","The Park and Recreation Board approved a utility easement agreement with Duke Energy to provide electrical service to the Carpenter Nature Preserve. Staff said Duke agreed to reroute lines to avoid conservation easements at no additional cost; the board authorized execution and recording of the easement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139896,"Park board approves memorandum with Hoosier Mountain Bike Association to expand and maintain local trails",460,4826000,5286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f&start=4826&end=5286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f/thumbnail_4826000.jpg","/articles/6139896/Town-of-Zionsville/Boone-County/Indiana/Park-board-approves-memorandum-with-Hoosier-Mountain-Bike-Association-to-expand-and-maintain-local-trails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139896-7cd5d166b544908cac92b565e429a7b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418212&Signature=WD9JRcD7-O~fLZvU2M3qqtdAkh3MeHOeVdcjajvJ1PDaq2XRLqHhyJZ9uZ6auQ-T7cyTBf06dgyUHYv79M1XhMpRTE~dohcHW1BWa809TBXAavXs~xarnop6l9ZlRGofTKg7LXB1nsmuuFtIHzovHvmAWqS7aNqzm-SO76PyQjadB7Nv58nd8Cq4TIHKy0T0qYF3pP4phx3Z1qnhX0y98DyaV45oImEGl1LEQy9dfe27nDYJTEO5RJ~1EiaJnJvZO0ASKbK~nN-dtm5AP2~yTrwSt~2VlBGh3M4MYZYKeoYct-D6eO7F4mfqUPnifFbjS9xJcbMpawlaEgR~9ih55g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — The Zionsville Park and Recreation Board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Aug. 13 with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) to formalize volunteer maintenance and limited trail improvements at the town's mountain-bike routes.
The MOU allows HMBA volunteers to perform trail maintenance with hand tools and, after appropriate training and authorization, to operate certain power equipment to remove fallen trees or other hazards. Any proposed new trail alignments or significant improvements would still come before the park board for approval.
Parks staff outlined that HMBA has a history of organizing volunteer trail-care chapters across Indiana and that Zionsville's existing network of about a mile of mountain-bike trails would benefit from expanded volunteer support. Under the MOU, volunteers must complete town volunteer forms and follow standards for signage, skill-level designation and safety; staff will vet improvements to ensure they fit trail standards and town insurance requirements.
Board members supported the agreement as a way to improve trail upkeep and to broaden volunteer stewardship. A board motion to approve the MOU passed by roll call (ayes from Chris Parksdale, Kimberly Lane, Matt Milborne, Anna Shepall, Doug Tishbein and Ryan Cambridge; Chad Dilley absent).
Parks staff said HMBA volunteers may also propose features such as small skill elements and that staff will ensure appropriate signage that identifies trail difficulty so riders can choose routes suited to their ability. The MOU also includes a nonbinding cancellation provision that allows either party to end the agreement without cost.
The parks department will coordinate volunteer training, sign standards and scheduling and expects the MOU to increase the safety and sustainability of the town's mountain-bike network.
","The Park and Recreation Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association allowing trained volunteers to maintain existing mountain-bike trails at Overly Warman Park and propose future improvements; volunteers will operate under town oversight and agreed signage and safety standards.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139901,"Park board rejects Lincoln Park refresh bids and authorizes build-operate-transfer procurement",800,2940000,3740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f&start=2940&end=3740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f/thumbnail_2940000.jpg","/articles/6139901/Town-of-Zionsville/Boone-County/Indiana/Park-board-rejects-Lincoln-Park-refresh-bids-and-authorizes-build-operate-transfer-procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139901-6924e0d9d389e4acfb9c071e286a27d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418212&Signature=BVgmr3WAK0ozDkrMCFYWC6Vy-AV8vWn8p58iFYEoqkaHSfsBtNcqcxqyBjDziUdmCmF3CXxELNmDaCB~3K9mPDCmib374-dtMaGabCzR142UdSpKUjm0TNR0LLw1FxkjNGM-SYIP0QCbT9mghqdkvFPicu8yH1-y3HRzLKfZ9pMlMoLvWMC-6MLLVrimf8P9rFnGeQPpLxAOlH00l0IS9JBGYI-2pbg99u9sPgX1H9hxOBno3vE910X-n2QDRXlWE~KmM5ZSCGt97To-YvK9alXjcbAOrQA5NxPxj5Eh3AmDsVbp2mCNUrKHM7s-Azkh6N7qhLJAaRjARjuQzv9ztQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — The Zionsville Park and Recreation Board on Aug. 13 rejected seven construction bids for a Lincoln Park refresh and directed staff to pursue an alternative procurement method intended to control costs.
Board members voted to reject all bids after staff said the lowest bid exceeded the board's engineered estimate by a large margin.
Jared, parks staff, told the meeting the bid process drew seven competitive bids and that the lowest bid from Chavez Construction Company exceeded the board's expectations. Jared asked the board to reject the bids and discussed alternative procurement options, including rebidding with add-alternates or moving to a build-operate-transfer delivery method that brings designers and contractors into a negotiated, open-book process.
Tricia McCollum of Rundell, Ernstberger & Associates (REA), the project architect/engineer, told the board unit prices \"were pretty in line\" with the engineer's estimate but that the bidders submitted lump-sum general-condition and mobilization numbers the estimate could not break into component parts. \"Unit costs looked in line, so there's just some additional could be in the gazebo, could be in the fountain,\" McCollum said.
Board member Doug Tishbein described the BOT option as a team-based approach that \"reduces risk of all parties involved\" and allows contractors and designers to develop constructable solutions together, often producing better prices and clearer overhead and contingency breakdowns. The board approved staff moving forward to advertise a BOT request for qualifications and to prepare RFQ/RFP materials for review, with staff returning to the board in September with respondents and a recommended selection process.
The board took two formal actions on the item. At roll call the board voted to reject all bids (motion carried: Chris Parks dale, Kimberly Lane, Matt Milborne, Anna Shepall, Doug Tishbein and Ryan Cambridge voting aye; Chad Dilley absent). Later in the meeting the board voted to authorize staff to advertise a BOT procurement and prepare related contract documents and public notices (same roll-call outcome: unanimous among present members).
Board members and staff discussed options to manage scope and costs if the project remains in a design-bid-build format, including rebidding with additional add-alternates and reserving some infrastructure work as preparations for future additions (for example running conduit in place even if lighting fixtures are deferred).
The parks department said it will pursue the BOT procurement with a goal of receiving qualified submittals and making a recommendation to the board by October, while also considering rebid strategies and potential scope reductions if necessary.
","After seven bids for a planned Lincoln Park refresh came in substantially above the project's engineer estimate, the Park and Recreation Board voted to reject all bids and approved moving forward with advertising a build-operate-transfer (BOT) procurement process to seek a delivery team that can negotiate constructability and cost.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6139905,"Park board hears heated public debate over Pride festival drag performance; reviews certificate of insurance",2319,158000,2477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f&start=158&end=2477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579576-1bb669da298314ce79947794d147b11f/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6139905/Town-of-Zionsville/Boone-County/Indiana/Park-board-hears-heated-public-debate-over-Pride-festival-drag-performance-reviews-certificate-of-insurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139905-b1a9cfd4d34b2190754d19d9723af46e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418212&Signature=PawNpkxtOfwPUj1jCRtq468Mk87FnVu6d4UeW62Cjb3rwr3q4g1rawEMfuNGxl6H2JxezmM7F9BxHeIrlovbijFpxcZonk5b1wtfaYZ0U1MPZymuXTG6EH4lAC~jKTj67KW~nesHXfwLv1KlN41lc9fOZd0-l~Z8iRchZiybGA9flxL2mTodAQvdKJNAsmUtO1yHE9h9b0lLzMtzUYDO8yqCe4KOT935Wol1MheYM0~ro8PyIUWJXqHfijx0TRs0Y0Q2qysan346hu9Uk-g52F5Am8voRiQptepVxdsPnFXeAzVKeL24U~tcqGD8z~4GFFxQONqozHhlE0Nkpdy0qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — The Zionsville Park and Recreation Board spent much of its Aug. 13 public-comment period hearing sharply divided views about a Pride Festival at Mulberry Fields scheduled for the coming weekend, and reviewed a certificate of insurance the event organizer supplied to the board.
The discussion matters because residents urged the board to rescind the town's approval or take other steps, while legal staff and the board's advisors explained the board's limited authority and the high legal standard for prohibiting performances as obscene under Indiana law.
Dozens of people spoke during the public-comment portion. Opponents said the event, and a drag performance scheduled as part of it, is inappropriate in a public park where children and other families may be present. Regina Sherrow, who gave her address as 1838 Corniche Drive, said she was \"not in favor of the drag queen\" aspect of the event and asked whether the board had reviewed the insurance and whether the town could be exposed to litigation.
Several other speakers offered opposing views. Casey Simes, who identified herself as a lesbian and longtime resident, described drag performances as community events and said they can be family-oriented. Kristen Efling urged the town to view drag as a form of theatrical expression and argued a family-friendly performance \"will be a celebration that benefits everyone in our community.\" Event organizer Aubrey Abel, who said she is one of the event's organizers, told the board the festival is \"a celebration of a diversity, inclusion, and community\" and that \"nothing at the festival is going to meet the legal definitions of obscenity or material harmfulness to minors.\"
Board members and legal counsel explained the limits of the park board's authority. Jared, a parks staff member, told the meeting the board does not have authority to approve or rescind the town's special-event permit for a nonprofit sponsor and that the board's agenda item was strictly to review a certificate of insurance the board requested. Jared read state statute language aloud and noted the board had consulted legal counsel.
Jared read portions of the statute in open session: \"Indiana code 35 dash 49 dash 2 dash 2.5 states that a government entity may not knowingly or intentionally organize, host, or fund an obscene performance.\" He and John Oberlander, park board attorney, told the board that the law defines an obscene performance by a three-part test and said moral objection alone is not a legal standard to bar a performance.
On insurance and liability, park board attorney John Oberlander said the town's special-event policy requires an event sponsor to submit commercial general liability coverage of at least $1 million, and that the Pride event sponsor provided a certificate showing the town and the park board listed as additional insured. Oberlander said the policy does not currently require the town to collect certificates of insurance for every vendor the organizer might hire, though he and board members discussed that practice as a possible policy change.
Board members said they sought the certificate naming the board after requests from residents and that receiving it increased the civil-liability protections for the park board. No park-board motion was made to block or rescind the event; officials said they lacked authority over a previously approved town permit. Jared said staff will recommend policy changes so future events on park property could require vendor-level certificates and other documentation.
Supporters and opponents agreed on one thing: the subject drew strong feelings on both sides. The board closed the public-comment period after hearing multiple residents and moved on to its staff and agenda items.
Looking ahead, the board and staff said they will bring proposed changes to the town's special-event and vendor-insurance procedures back to the park board for consideration so that future public events on park property are reviewed under consistent requirements.
","Dozens of residents spoke for and against a planned Zionsville Pride Festival drag performance at Mulberry Fields. The Park and Recreation Board reviewed a certificate of insurance the event organizer provided, heard legal guidance on Indiana obscenity law and the board's limited authority, and did not take action to block the event.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks staff outlines financial sustainability plan as town adviser warns of state law changes affecting local revenues

Board approves utility easement to bring power to Carpenter Nature Preserve after reroute avoids conservation easements

Park board approves memorandum with Hoosier Mountain Bike Association to expand and maintain local trails

Park board rejects Lincoln Park refresh bids and authorizes build-operate-transfer procurement

Park board hears heated public debate over Pride festival drag performance; reviews certificate of insurance