Residents urge Dubois County Council to withdraw from Midstates Corridor RDA over transparency and broad powers

A string of public commenters urged the Dubois County Council to move immediately to withdraw the county from the Midstates Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA), saying the authority now has broad statutory powers but no active project or sufficient transparency. At a council meeting that included an extended public-comment period, residents cited Indiana Code provisions and asked county leaders to adopt an ordinance to end membership.

"The RDA no longer has such a mandate," said a resident reading a letter on behalf of a local Property Rights Alliance group, arguing that the RDA has produced delayed or missing minutes and inconsistent public reporting. The speaker cited Indiana Code 36-7.6 and said those provisions allow an RDA to "finance and assist in…acquire, hold, and convey interest in real and personal property," make loans and grants, and—"with approval from the appropriate legislative body"—exercise eminent domain.

Other speakers echoed concerns about governance and fiscal risk. "You have a private group acting like they're a governmental body and using our tax dollars," one resident said, describing difficulty locating minutes and financial reports on the RDA website. Bob Pfister told the council members they retain authority to revoke or not renew the RDA's charter under the statute, urging them to act.

Residents asked the council to follow the withdrawal path set out in statute — adopt an ordinance stating the county’s withdrawal, provide written notice to the RDA, and have the RDA inform the Indiana Economic Development Corporation — and to act without delay. The letter read to the council argued that Tier 1 of the environmental review is complete and that the state has responsibility for subsequent work, leaving the RDA without a defined project or mandate.

Council members acknowledged receipt of the letter and questions from the public about timing; council leadership said they have not been presented with an ordinance from the RDA and would need the written ordinance language before taking a formal vote. Residents pressed whether the county had been given the 12 months' notice the statute envisions for renewal decisions; council members said they had only recently received notice and would need more information before a binding action.

The council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Members said they would consider the matter and draft any ordinance language needed before scheduling a vote at a subsequent meeting.