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DeKalb 2040 update: focus groups and public workshops scheduled in March and April
Summary
At its Feb. 19 meeting the DeKalb County Planning Commission received an update on the DeKalb 2040 comprehensive plan rewrite and was asked to return preference sheets for focus-group participation; public workshops are scheduled March 6 and April 3.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ind. — The DeKalb County Planning Commission on Feb. 19 heard an update on the DeKalb 2040 comprehensive plan rewrite and was asked to indicate which focus groups they would like to attend.
Staff told commissioners the first round of focus groups and public workshops will be held March 6 at the JM Center in Garrett (focus groups, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. with one- to 1.5-hour sessions by topic) and April 3 at Butler City Hall (public workshop/open house style, 5–7 p.m.). Staff asked commissioners to fill out preference sheets that evening to help organizers assign attendees without violating the open-meetings quorum rules.
"I would like for you to fill out tonight if you can," staff said, explaining the focus groups will include topics such as agribusiness, transportation, infrastructure and utilities and that participants need not attend the entire 9 a.m.–4 p.m. block. Staff noted the sessions would be structured in hour- to 90-minute increments; agribusiness, for example, might meet 9–10:30.
Staff also said public workshops would be open-house style and encouraged commissioners and residents to sign up for email updates at calb2040.com. The planner noted efforts to boost engagement via the project Facebook page and described an outreach plan that includes focus groups for specific topics and steering-committee review after the initial public outreach.
The commission was told the focus-group preference sheets will help staff and consultants plan sessions but that invitations to specific groups cannot be guaranteed if many people rank the same topics highly. Staff emphasized compliance with state open-meeting rules when organizing the focus groups and said the planning department will circulate schedules and follow-up information to commissioners.
The update also included an offer to stream training workshops for commissioners (Citizens Planner I and II) and a note about registration costs. Staff said those who want to sign up for the workshops should notify the planning office for coordination.
