Brownsburg council votes to join Central Indiana Regional Development Authority

The Town of Brownsburg Town Council voted 4-0 on March 27 to authorize the town to join the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority and to adopt a preliminary regional economic development plan.

Debbie, a councilmember, told the council the authority was formed before distribution of REDI grants and handled the second phase of REDI funding, and that membership offers a seat at the table for regional projects. "There—s no cost to us for this, but it would give us a seat at the table to have our wishes be known for regional projects," Debbie said. She said 26 municipalities currently belong to the authority and named Avon, Danville, Pittsboro and Plainfield among them.

The council approved Ordinance 2025-11 on first, second and third reading in a single vote and then approved Resolution 2025-10 adopting a preliminary strategy economic development plan for the region. Both measures passed by voice vote with four councilmembers voting aye and one member absent. Council members indicated the authority holds monthly meetings and prefers an elected official, typically the council president, to represent the town; the president may designate a designee.

The ordinance and resolution were presented as membership actions only; council discussion emphasized access to regional planning and networking rather than local financial commitments. Debbie said Brownsburg previously obtained REDI funding for a sewer extension during an earlier phase. The council did not discuss any local financial obligation tied to the membership during the meeting.

During public comment, resident David Wyant asked whether Brownsburg's needs had been incorporated into the authority's strategic plan and whether those items had been reviewed by local staff or the regional development committee. Wyant also asked why an agenda item related to a proposed TIF district on Ronald Reagan Parkway had been removed from the meeting agenda in advance; he said the agenda entry was added and removed multiple times on the town website and requested the council provide the email justification for the removal. Wyant's remarks were noted but no formal action was taken in response during the meeting.

In addition to the CIDRA items, the council approved routine consent items: the March 13, 2025 meeting minutes and the civil town and fire territory claims docket for 03/14/2025 through 03/27/2025, which the clerk summarized as a total payroll and claims docket of $1,665,913.91. Both consent motions passed by voice vote.

Other nonvoting reports at the meeting included departmental updates: the police department recognized investigator Todd Knowles for an award from the Hendricks County Prosecutor—s Office; parks staff reported splash pad renovations about 55% complete with a tentative grand opening targeted for May 31; the water utilities director announced an April 9-11 "Clean and Green" volunteer event at Arbuckle Park; and the chamber president announced a Festival of the Arts in September in partnership with the town. These reports were informational and did not require council action.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-11 (agenda item 11.1): Authorize Town of Brownsburg to become a member of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority. Motion approved on combined first, second and third reading. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 1 absent. Motion maker: councilmember (unnamed); second: not specified. - Resolution 2025-10 (agenda item 11.2): Adopt preliminary strategy economic development plan for Central Indiana Regional Development Authority. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 1 absent. Motion maker: councilmember (unnamed); second: not specified. - Consent 5.1: Approve March 13, 2025 meeting minutes. Vote: unanimous voice approval. Motion maker: councilmember (unnamed); second: not specified. - Consent 5.2: Approve civil town and fire territory claims docket (03/14/2025——through——03/27/2025) totaling $1,665,913.91. Vote: unanimous voice approval. Motion maker: councilmember (unnamed); second: not specified.

Looking ahead, council members noted CIDRA meetings are held monthly and typically include elected officials; the council president may designate an alternate. The removed agenda item regarding a potential TIF district on Ronald Reagan Parkway was not discussed at this meeting and was deferred to a future date to allow stakeholders affected by spring break to participate in comments.