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Residents press county to curb paid travel, question property assessments and redevelopment appointment
Summary
Two residents asked the commissioners to limit county travel and foundation‑funded trips and to investigate property assessment practices; a third asked to use the courthouse lawn for a peaceful demonstration. One resident raised concerns that a company called 'Nexus' may have been used for assessment support and said assessor replies were unclear.
Speakers used the public comment period at the Jan. 12 meeting to challenge county practices on travel, outside funding and assessments.
Cindy Hyczyk of Goshen urged the board to replace expensive in‑person travel with online training and to refuse foundation‑funded travel that she said carries outside agendas. "I'm asking this board to set a standard for other counties to follow," she said, adding that online options could reduce costs for taxpayers on fixed incomes.
Pam Kaiser of Middlebury raised concerns about property assessments and county appointments. Citing an inquiry to county appraisal staff, she said she was told the county "has never hired an appraisal conducted by a company or business named Nexus," but that later communications from the assessor did not clearly confirm or deny Nexus's involvement in other services. Kaiser said she and her husband experienced a 35.5% increase in assessed value over three years and asked the board to examine assessment methods and whether inconsistent treatment of properties is occurring. She also criticized the board's unanimous reappointment of John Hunsberger to the redevelopment commission.
Nancy Graber of Goshen requested permission to use the historic courthouse lawn for a one‑hour peaceful demonstration; commissioners approved her request.
What the board will do
The meeting record shows commissioners accepted the public comments; no formal investigations, policy changes or affirmative directions recorded in the transcript on Jan. 12 were issued in response. The board did not vote to launch an audit of assessments during the meeting.
