Pulaski County organizers set town hall on solar, seek neutral moderator; commissioners debate payment

Organizers of a planned Pulaski County town hall on solar energy, energy storage and budget transparency told commissioners they have secured a venue, moderator and audio/streaming support and are preparing outreach materials.

Brandy (identified in the record as an event organizer) told the Board that Celebration Station in downtown Winamac is reserved, flyers are being distributed and private donations have covered advertising and some equipment costs. She said a moderator has been confirmed and that she will meet with that moderator to finalize the event flow and email the commissioners a proposed schedule.

The organizer proposed three brief factual “baseline” updates at the start of the two-hour event — one on the county strategic plan, one on budget transparency and one on solar — to give attendees a shared grounding for questions. "This is just a fact-based fact finding update," she said, adding the moderator could read the statements if staff preferred not to present them in person.

A central point of debate was payment for a neutral, professional moderator. The organizer said a typical fee is $400 and that she could seek private sponsors if the commissioners objected to county funding; she also offered to donate part of her commissioner salary toward the fee if needed. Commissioner comments varied: one commissioner said he had heard residents did not want the county to pay; another said the county budget can cover such expenses and charging residents or asking private donors would be a poor reflection.

Organizers requested that the county coordinate security, post official public notice, provide a livestream and recording, and print agendas. They also asked that commissioners give short (proposed seven‑minute) positioning statements about the three topics at the meeting opening and that staff provide written responses within two weeks to attendees who sign up but do not get to speak.

The organizer asked that county staff or elected officials prepare brief factual updates on each topic so the moderator can begin with a common frame of facts: "This is where this was the county's budget last year. This is the amount that was spent on these types of things. This is where you can find additional information," she said.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote on moderator funding during the discussion recorded in the transcript. The organizer said she will finalize the flow with the moderator and share it with the commissioners, and she asked the board to consider scheduling a quarterly follow-up town hall if the event goes well.