Brownsburg council delays vote on TIF support for schools, seeks joint meeting with RDC

The Town of Brownsburg Town Council voted April 23 to table consideration of Resolution 2026-67, a proposal connected to redevelopment-commission (RDC) funding for Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC), and asked staff to schedule a joint meeting with the RDC before the council reconvenes on May 14.

Council President Lacey opened the discussion by laying out the fiscal context and differences in TIF (tax increment financing) calculations. She said the school used $9,333,686 as its 2025 revenue figure while the actual 2025 TIF collections were $8,911,761 and that a strict 15% calculation could yield a theoretical maximum near $1,336,716.76. “The commission has offered a lesser number of $555,000 at this time,” Lacey said, arguing that current debt service, required coverage levels and pending interest-rate resets require caution.

Nut graf: The vote postpones a decision the council said it preferred to make only after more intergovernmental coordination. The delay addresses legal and timing questions about whether and how townships (Brown and Lincoln) can contribute, different TIF calculation methodologies, and the budgetary effects of state legislation cited by speakers, including House Bill 1454 and SEA 1.

Superintendent Kat Jessup thanked the council and other taxing entities for their engagement and said avoiding a 2026 referendum is a central objective while the district adapts to the revenue impacts of HB 1454 and SEA 1. “My goal is to avoid a referendum in 2026 while continuing to preserve the high-quality education our students deserve,” Jessup said during the public-comment period.

Multiple residents urged fuller funding of the school’s $1.3 million request. One supporter argued the RDC statute allows up to 15% of TIF revenues for qualifying education and workforce programs, and described five programs serving about 2,500 students that would use equipment, transportation and staff support. “If we move forward and invest millions in infrastructure … but under invest in our people, employers look elsewhere,” the speaker said.

Others stressed legal and timing constraints. Resident Chris Kiesler asked why the joint meeting and a final council decision were being arranged on a schedule that may occur after the May 5 election, saying voters would not hear deliberations before casting ballots. Several commenters and council members discussed whether Brown and Lincoln township trustees could legally contribute funds, with the council noting ongoing work with township attorneys.

The motion to table the resolution was made by President Lacey and — after a second and brief discussion about scheduling and township participation — was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Council members said the May 14 meeting will be the next official opportunity for a final decision, and staff said public comment will be allowed at both the joint RDC meeting and the council meeting.

What happens next: Council members said they are continuing negotiations with township trustees and the RDC and will return to the item at the May 14 meeting. Superintendent Jessup has stated that if the district receives the dollars it needs, it will not pursue a referendum, a point council members repeatedly noted during deliberations.