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Franklin Redevelopment Commission approves grant to development corporation and funds for sidewalks, Andy Street final bill; Jefferson Street invoices to be set
Summary
The Franklin City Redevelopment Commission approved a grant to the Franklin Development Corporation and passed resolutions to fund the Johnson Avenue sidewalk and close out the Andy Street rehabilitation. Commissioners directed staff to advertise a May resolution to pay remaining Jefferson Street invoices.
The Franklin City Redevelopment Commission approved three resolutions and discussed remaining invoices for a separate project during a regular meeting.
The commission voted to approve resolution 2025-14, appropriating a grant to the Franklin Development Corporation and adopting a grant agreement between the Redevelopment Commission and the Franklin Development Corporation. The public meeting on the item was opened and closed with no public comment before the commission approved the resolution.
Commissioners also approved resolution 2025-15, a $250,000 appropriation for expenses related to the Johnson Avenue sidewalk project. “We actually have a contractor on board,” Matt McElroy, city engineer, said while describing the sidewalk work; he noted the total project cost was $251,000.
The commission approved resolution 2025-16, a $200,000 appropriation to cover final expenses on the Andy Street rehabilitation. Staff and commissioners described recent, late invoices from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) that added to the final closeout cost. A staff member characterized the INDOT bills as “surprise invoices.”
On other business, staff reported two final Jefferson Street invoices totaling just over $35,000 that were not covered by an existing resolution; commissioners directed staff to advertise a resolution for the May meeting to appropriate funds and close out that project.
Financial updates and related items
Staff reported March 2025 year-to-date expenditures of $2,035,000 and noted that recently approved items — including Commerce Drive stoplight design ($78,000) and the Sandor property purchase — have been recorded. The commission received notice of an unexpected Indian American Water refund of $33,004.99; staff proposed applying that refund to the recent INDOT invoices.
Parks and property planning
Commissioners said the newly purchased property for parks and ball fields will require additional design and likely special financing. A staff member said an initial committee meeting will convene with council members and the engineering firm and estimated the project could take “a couple years” to reach usable ball fields.
Tax-policy comments from mayor and business representatives
The mayor (name not specified) used his remarks to voice opposition to a proposed change to business personal property taxation. “That is absolutely the wrong way to go,” the mayor said, urging local legislators to consider impacts on municipal and school revenues. Dana (last name not provided), an Economic Development Corporation representative, added that businesses often compare Indiana to neighboring Ohio and said, “When we talk to these companies, Ohio doesn't have business personal property tax, and we get companies all the time that choose to live here rather than Ohio.”
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-14 — Grant to Franklin Development Corporation and grant agreement: public meeting opened and closed with no public comment; approved by the commission.
- Resolution 2025-15 — $250,000 for Johnson Avenue sidewalk project (project total reported as $251,000): public meeting opened and closed with no public comment; approved by the commission.
- Resolution 2025-16 — $200,000 for final expenses on the Andy Street rehabilitation (staff reported late INDOT invoices): public meeting opened and closed with no public comment; approved by the commission.
What the commission did not decide today
Commissioners did not yet appropriate funds to pay final Jefferson Street invoices (about $35,500); staff was directed to advertise a resolution for the May meeting to address those invoices. No formal vote on that appropriation occurred at this meeting.
Context and next steps
Staff will advertise the Jefferson Street appropriation for the May meeting. The commission will monitor INDOT final invoices as other old projects are closed out; staff also plans follow-up on how to apply the Indian American Water refund to recent invoices. The commission’s next scheduled meeting was announced for May 20 at 8 a.m.
