ACCDC reports $73,726 in 2024 revenue; commissioners nominate Terese Brown as president

The Allen County Board of Commissioners heard the Allen County Community Development Corporation(ACCDC) annual report and approved nominations for ACCDC leadership at its March 7, 2025 legislative session.

Joe Hutter, Allen County Building Commissioner, and ACCDC staff member Francis presented the ACCDC report, telling commissioners that ACCDC sold 53 properties in 2024 and recorded total revenue of $73,726. Hutter said sale proceeds were about $72,000 and that a billboard lease generated $1,800, yielding total 2024 revenue of $73,726. He told commissioners ACCDC(Francis) tracked time and billed ACCDC for wages when working on community development properties.

The report showed total 2024 expenditures of $30,169.53; Hutter said the largest expense was payments to clear deeds, which he identified at roughly $570 per deed, and that salary expense for ACCDC work in 2024 was $9,340. Francis said many remaining parcels are small "sliver" lots that cannot be built on and that adjacent property owners are the most likely buyers; he said ACCDC has mailed letters to adjacent owners with limited response. "Last year we did 53 properties, sale proceeds were roughly $72,000," Francis said.

Commissioners discussed safeguards for taking properties that have passed tax sale. A commissioner stated ACCDC was created in part so liability from potentially problematic parcels would reside with ACCDC rather than the county. Hutter and commissioners said ACCDC will continue to seek clear title and perform the reviews needed before selling parcels.

During the annual meeting, commissioners nominated Terese Brown to serve as ACCDC president and approved designating Francis (last name not specified in the transcript) as operations manager for ACCDC to sign documents and administer sales processes. Commissioners voted to close nominations and approved the appointments.

The ACCDC report included a list of current holdings and a separate list of roughly 25 potential parcels that may come to ACCDC later in the year after they pass the statutory redemption period following tax sales. Hutter said parcels that are redeemed through the tax-sale process can later be deeded to ACCDC if they are not sold at tax sale.

Commissioners thanked staff for maintaining a reduced inventory compared with earlier years and for work to return properties to the tax rolls. The annual meeting for ACCDC was then closed by motion of the board.

The ACCDC annual report and the leadership nominations were approved by voice vote during the March 7 meeting.