Brandy, a community organizer working with residents, told the Pulaski County Board of Commissioners that a town hall on solar and energy-storage, budget transparency and the county’s strategic plan is scheduled and ready, and she asked the county to support logistics and a professional moderator.
The request matters because organizers said the event would provide a common factual baseline for public discussion and because several commissioners and residents raised concerns about whether the county should pay the moderator or accept private funding.
Brandy told the commissioners the venue (Celebration Station in downtown Winamac) is secured, flyers and ads are covered by private donations, and a moderator has been secured but the group prefers a neutral, paid professional to keep the meeting on time and productive. She proposed that the county or elected officials prepare brief factual updates to begin the meeting so attendees share a baseline of information on the three topics. “This is not new. This is not a—this is not a gotcha,” Brandy said about hiring a facilitator, arguing the fee she cited (about $400) is a common town-hall expense and that organizers had volunteers to handle logistics.
Commissioners and staff discussed logistics and responsibilities. Brandy said she would meet the moderator in advance, finalize the event flow and email it to commissioners; she also asked the county to post official notice, provide livestream/recording, and coordinate security. Commissioner Street confirmed he had notified county police. Brandy asked that county staff or officials read brief factual statements (five to seven minutes total) summarizing the strategic plan, recent budget figures and existing ordinances governing solar and storage, so the moderator could move from the same baseline.
Commissioners debated funding the moderator. Some commissioners and residents said the county should pay so the public is not asked to subsidize access to information; others said outside donations are acceptable. Commissioner Don Street (referred to in the discussion) noted constituent feedback resisting county payment; Brandy said she could secure private donations if needed but preferred county payment. One commissioner offered to personally donate part of a salary to cover the fee if necessary. Brandy also requested written responses within two weeks to attendees who sign up but cannot speak during the event; commissioners indicated that written replies would be reasonable.
Organizers and commissioners agreed practical items—security, public notice, sound system, printed agendas and a trial run of AV equipment—should be confirmed before the event. Brandy said she would email the final flow to commissioners once she meets with the moderator.
The board did not take a formal vote on funding the moderator during the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue coordination and to circulate the proposed event flow and baseline statements for review.