Delaware County Council approves lease for Muncie Recovery after public hearing

The Delaware County Council on Nov. 18 approved a resolution authorizing a lease with Muncie Recovery, which the public comment identified as doing business as Indiana Treatment Centers. The council acted after a brief public hearing in which Rick Yenser, identifying himself as a "newsman and author," said, "I think this is a good fit for Delaware County," citing reduced local capacity for mental-health and addiction services and noting a for-profit tenant would pay property taxes.

Council counsel and staff described key provisions of the lease and the basis for council action. Counsel said the county council must approve leases when "the annual payments exceed $25,000 in any given year" and noted the document contains protections for the county, including indemnification and a waiver of subrogation. A county presenter characterized the arrangement as a "triple net lease," explaining that under the agreement the tenant will cover property taxes, insurance and most routine maintenance while the county remains responsible for structural and HVAC issues excluded from the tenant's responsibilities.

Commissioners and council members also noted the tenant is a for-profit operator and that the county will receive new property-tax revenue as a result of the lease. The resolution was moved by Bill, seconded by Dan, and carried on a roll-call vote.

The council did not amend substantive lease terms during the meeting; members asked staff to correct minor scrivener's errors (such as a misspelled name and signature lines) before final execution. The resolution's stated authority is Indiana Code 36-1-11 (as cited during the meeting). The council's vote followed an earlier public hearing and public-comment period during the same meeting.

Next steps: county staff will incorporate the clerical corrections discussed on the record and prepare the final signed lease for execution. No timeline for occupancy was announced during the session.