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Planning department moves $120,000 in legal work to TIF funds, flags InterGov permitting problems
Summary
Planning staff told the committee a proposed $363,000 in TIF reimbursements is included in next year’s budget and asked that $120,000 of redevelopment legal services be paid directly from TIFs to reduce the planning fund’s apparent increase.
The county’s Planning & Development department told the personnel committee it plans to reassign some redevelopment legal fees to TIF reimbursements to reduce the apparent growth in the planning fund and requested two classification changes that the committee approved.
May (presenting for Planning & Development) explained that the proposed 2026 budget assumes $363,000 of TIF reimbursements to the general fund. The department asked the committee to treat $120,000 of redevelopment legal services as paid directly from TIF receipts rather than the planning fund, which would lower the planning fund’s year‑over‑year increase from about 7% to roughly 2% after the adjustment. Committee members agreed by consensus to reflect that change in the approved budget documents.
Online permitting problems May also described continued difficulties with the county’s InterGov permitting software. Planning staff said InterGov handles integration with GIS well (a key benefit for inspectors and fieldwork) but is not user‑friendly for the general public. Vendor implementation costs for replacement software were described as potentially high — quotes cited in meeting discussion ranged from about $50,000 to as much as $500,000 for implementation and data migration. Planning staff said they keep contractor access restricted for now and are evaluating other vendors, but replacing the current system would carry substantial up‑front costs.
Reclassifications approved The committee approved a modest boost for Planner 3 roles (PAT A → PAT B) and a larger reclassification for the redevelopment program coordinator (PAT B → PAT C) after presentations explaining the additional duties and TIF oversight responsibilities. Presenters emphasized the coordinators’ ongoing role in TIF claims processing, tracking ledgers, working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on floodplain matters and digitizing plats into the county GIS.
Budget impact and process notes Planning’s presenters said the legal-services budget item will be moved to TIF reimbursements to reduce general fund pressure and that they will continue annual review of development ordinance updates. The department also noted that consultant classification recommendations generally guide the committee’s decisions; the committee typically adopts the consultant’s matrix recommendations unless there is a specific reason not to.
Speakers and sources May (Planning & Development presenter); Patty (permit/inspections staff, quoted on InterGov); county finance and HR staff answered technical budgeting questions.
Next steps - Move the $120,000 redevelopment legal services cost to TIF reimbursement lines and reflect the change in the 2026 budget. - Finalize reclassification paperwork and include the approved reclassifications in the salary ordinance and payroll schedule.
