Delaware County Redevelopment Commission 11/12/2026
The Delaware County Redevelopment Commission reviewed TIF debt capacity and its 2027 spending plan, considered county infrastructure requests and economic-development matters, and approved several expenditures and agreements.
Discussion Points
•A commission member asked how the required project-to-allocation-area nexus might be established and about allocation-area expiration and property transfers.
•The adviser presented two illustrative borrowing structures and described revenue coverage, reserves and possible property-tax backup.
Decisions
•No bond issuance was proposed or approved at this meeting.
The Delaware County Drainage Board heard a resident’s flooding concerns, opened bids for drainage and vegetation work, and considered awards while discussing contractor capacity and contract terms. Members also reviewed watershed mapping, maintenance work and surveyor funding.
Discussion Points
•An attorney summarized a private property-line lawsuit and said reimbursement of the landowner’s legal expenses was not appropriate under the advice relayed from Meeks Cockrell.
•Approximately $33,000 in Butler Masonry claims related to sinkholes and tile repairs was discussed.
•Cooper said a pond built on a neighbor’s property may impede natural water flow and described flooding and persistently running sump pumps.
•FEMA funding for log-jam removal was described as stalled, with no new information available.
•Members asked whether township information could be added to work tracking.
•Members discussed deadline constraints, potential savings and whether to divide work among contractors.
•Members questioned DigTech’s capacity, reputation and ability to complete multiple jobs.
•Members questioned how perpetuation-account spending is displayed in county budget documents.
•No final drainage-rate change or mapping decision was made.
•The attorney and Surveyor described the purpose and funding source of the surveyor perpetuation account.
•The consultant requested financial data, parcel attributes and watershed lists.
•The proposed contract’s 20% holdback was discussed; the draft had not yet been approved.
•The Surveyor described discrepancies between watershed records and a proposed approximate method for assigning parcels.
•The Surveyor recalled a prior low bidder that did not complete all assigned jobs.
•The Surveyor said claims included several months of work and described other contractors’ availability.
•The Surveyor said Jones Road log-jam work had been completed after seeking two quotes.
•The Surveyor said the office had a current contract with Ashton for corner-marker work and described the specialized nature of the work.
•The Surveyor said the old map’s dotted line does not establish a regulated drain and that the board lacks authority to maintain it.
•The Surveyor suggested investigating whether a private tile exists.
•Two prior-year debrushing jobs remained unfinished and had been transferred to other contractors.
Decisions
•Additional jobs were awarded to JJC and Butler Masonry, but the transcript does not reliably identify all job names or corresponding roll-call details.
•DigTech was approved for No Name Creek No. 1 and Williams Creek No. 2.
•Love Ditch No. 3 and Ferguson No. 4 awards were tabled.
•The board approved maintenance claims as submitted.
Directions
•The Surveyor planned to contact GIS staff and a county contact about potential FEMA requests.
•The Surveyor planned to meet with GIS staff to develop a timeframe for assembling the data.
•The Surveyor said township information could be included on the ledger sheet.
•The Surveyor was directed to circulate the draft contract for board review and, if approved, obtain contractor signatures before work begins.
Metropolitan Planning Commission Meeting - November 5th, 2026
The Delaware Muncy Metropolitan Plan Commission reviewed and recommended approval of a McKinley neighborhood overlay for forwarding to Muncie City Council, heard a director's report on permits and staff changes, discussed permit-fee allocations for unsafe housing, and took initial public discussion about prospective data-center activity on county land.
Discussion Points
•Board confirmed standard schedule and a July exception for 2027.
•Commissioner argued current 10% allocation generates ~$9,497.70 for unsafe-housing work from 2026 fees, insufficient to address hundreds of blighted properties.
•Commissioners described how land accumulation and utility studies can precede development.
•Director presented permit and inspection totals and staffing updates.
•Director summarized MPO conference attendance and programming.
•Public concern noted given prior controversy over solar and wind projects.
•Staff confirmed the overlay will be reviewed during the UDO rewrite.
•Staff reminded members about expiring terms and reappointment process.
•Staff reported an intern is compiling comparable fee information and warned of requirements in House Enrolled Act 1001.
•Staff said no formal data-center applications or site plans have been received.
•Volunteer committee described edits after a state law change; neighborhood outreach and revisions to setbacks and ADU standards were emphasized.
Decisions
•Calendar adopted by voice vote.
•Commission voted 9-0 to recommend MPC 06-26A favorably.
Directions
•Monitor inquiries and address data-center standards during UDO update.
•Staff to forward recommendation and notice to City Council for Dec. 7 hearing.
•Staff to post calendar and notify members of appointment process.
•Staff to provide comparative fee data and clarification on statutory constraints.
Regional Wastewater Board Meeting - November 4th, 2026
The Delaware County Regional Wastewater board met Nov. 4, 2026. Members approved minutes and claims, authorized rebuilding two pumps at Lift Station No. 11, wrote off a $28.87 bank-reconciliation discrepancy, discussed Westdale grant administration and Delville interceptor permitting, reviewed collections and a budget draft, and heard a website/email update before adjourning.
Discussion Points
•Archived 700+ emails to reduce costs.
•Budget draft includes field employee cost estimates.
•CD matured at 3.75% rate.
•Collections improved after outreach and letters.
•Cost estimate $6,602 presented.
•DCRC authorized use of up to $500,000.
•Invitation for board video participation.
•Minor declines in website metrics noted.
•Need for bond counsel, grant administrator, and RFQ due to federal procurement rules.
•Need to secure bids after permitting progress.
•Permitting schedule for Delville interceptor.
•Potential lift station placement (north vs. south) and cost implications.
•SSI and Invoice Cloud reconciliation issues discussed.
•Staff described pump history and recent rebuilds.
•Staff recommended write-off rather than incurring search costs.
•Treasurer reported balances, transfers, and CD gains.
Decisions
•Board approved rebuild of two pumps.
•Claims approved by voice vote.
•Proceed with RFQ and grant administration procurement steps.
•Write-off approved.
Directions
•Staff to circulate cost estimates and rewrite contract invoicing to DCRC.
•Staff to provide draft to board and schedule working session before December.
•Staff to secure bids/estimates and circulate to board.
Delaware County Commissioners Meeting - November 2nd, 2026
Delaware County commissioners heard public comment-heavy concerns about proposed hyperscale data centers, approved an opioid-settlement spending plan, authorized bridge repairs and several contracts, and advanced multiple routine agenda items on Nov. 2, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Multiple residents expressed concerns over water use, noise, and historic-cemetery impacts from potential data centers.
•Speakers asked for a moratorium and for county staff to draft zoning regulations covering such developments.
Decisions
•No moratorium or ordinance was passed at this meeting; the matter remains for future planning-commission and county consideration.
Delaware County Storm Water Board Meeting - November 2nd, 2026
At its Nov. 2, 2026 meeting, the Delaware County Stormwater Board confirmed completion of the Stoney Creek Drive project, discussed ongoing easement and ditch work, heard that a log jam on the White River was cleared and DeSoto work is underway, reviewed an $88,282.57 MS4 invoice, and discussed cash‑balance bookkeeping corrections ahead of next month’s claims.
Discussion Points
•A prior request to Crone was made the week before last.
•Board asked for status of DNR‑permitted Stoney Creek Drive work.
•Canoe launch to follow DeSoto project; DeSoto is about halfway done.
•Discrepancy between revenue audit and statement of cash explained by a bookkeeping correction of $223,666.42.
•Draft RFP for stormwater rate/utility study to be scoped with Crone and county engineering.
•Easement documents to be reviewed by county attorney (Dean).
•Log jam cleared on White River at County Road 900 West.
•Received invoice from Muncie Sanitary for $88,282.57 to be included in next month’s claims.
•Review of Oct. 8 expenditures included in previously approved claims totaling $33,587.43.
•Scheduling discussion for the December meeting date.
•Survey and legal descriptions for Ken Drive easements complete.
Decisions
•Adjourned by voice vote.
•Keep Ken Drive as old business and follow up next meeting.
•No further action scheduled; item removed from active old business list.
Directions
•Continue to provide status updates as field work progresses.
•Include the MS4 invoice in next month’s claims and reconcile fund balances.
•Keep meeting time as-is; confirm date for December meeting.
•No new claims approved at this meeting.
•Remove Stoney Creek from old business at next meeting.
•Schedule scoping meeting including county engineer and board members.
•Send easement documents to Dean for legal review.
The Delaware Muncie Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals met in October 2026. The board heard two appeals challenging the issuance of building permits for multifamily projects in the McKinley neighborhood (both continued to the Nov. 19 meeting), approved an in‑home yoga special use and granted three variances for existing barns, and adopted next year's meeting schedule.
Discussion Points
•Date of parcel combination (Sept. 15) addresses lot width but not setbacks/parking; whether central business elimination of setbacks was intended for residential projects.
•Expected attendance (about five clients per session), schedule (start one per week, grow to two), parking availability, HOA status (none).
•Whether central business rezoning eliminates setbacks or requires compliance with R‑5 standards in full; whether plan review was completed before permits issued; timeline of parcel combinations for Mulberry site.
Decisions
•BZA voted to continue both appeals to Nov. 19, 2026
•Continue to Nov. 19, 2026
•Special use approved; certification to be issued.
Directions
•Approve with condition limiting the special use to the applicant.
•Continue both appeals to Nov. 19; staff to assemble relevant plan sets and rezoning records.
•Continue to allow staff to provide full plan sets and zoning records.
Delaware County Council met Oct. 27, 2026, approved routine transfers and appropriations, heard a detailed briefing and preliminary funding request on a $1.7 million tower replacement and a $291,000 VHF fix after flood damage, received a tax-sale report from the treasurer, and set deadlines for board appointment applications.
Discussion Points
•Agenda amended to add Sheriff's Commissary Report; motions to approve transfers carried by roll call.
•A grant and forfeiture funds were misposted into county general and require correction.
•Community-foundation funds will pay for nine replacement laptop/docking setups for a local program.
•Construction currently projected for FY 2032; Carrie will provide timing details.
•Council approved transfers by roll call.
•Council approved transfers to place funds into sheriff overtime and supplies lines.
•Count of certified properties, redemptions prior to sale, sales at auction, and surplus amounts.
•County staff recommended a $1,000,000 bond-bank emergency loan at 2% as one way to finance the tower while FEMA/insurance are pending.
•Deadline of Nov. 25 set for board application submissions and procedures to publish lists.
•Design contract is $412,850; county 20% share estimated at $1,036,000.
•Flood damaged Sampson Street tower requires replacement; VHF gaps identified and a $291,000 fix proposed.
•Staff moved funds to cover jury fees and psych evals.
•Staff will prepare formal appropriation paperwork and return next month; no vote was taken.
•Surplus funds are distributed to taxing units; attorney fees for the sale pending.
•Temporary VOCA transfer to cover pay increases for two positions (about $650).
Decisions
•Agenda amended and motions approved
•Appropriations approved
•Report received by council
•Temporary transfer approved
•Transfers approved
Directions
•Clerk/Marissa to publish appointment list and accept submissions by Nov. 25.
•County Treasurer/liaison to investigate bond-bank availability and timing.
•Finance and sheriff to finalize accounting corrections with state offices.
•Finance to monitor case load and return if more funds are needed.
•Highway to email further project and funding details.
•Staff to prepare appropriation paperwork and vendor estimates for November meeting.
•Staff to return next month with formal appropriation for VOCA adjustments.
•Treasurer to provide final reconciliation after invoices are received.
Delaware County Commissioners met Oct. 19, 2026 to approve multiple ordinances (including a housing definition change), award a bridge contract, sign support letters for housing and economic development grants, authorize Justice Center architectural recognition, and consider several county contracts and routine reports.
Delaware County Drainage Board met on October 24 to consider separating the Abe McConnell watershed into its own assessment account, approve moving funds into an investment account, solicit bids for debrushing work and logjam removal, and to address mapping inaccuracies for regulated drains; a resident introduced himself and offered contracting services.
Discussion Points
•Beacon overlays sometimes misplace underground tiles compared with historic Mylar maps.
•Board policy suggests soliciting at least three quotes for work over $10,000.
•Board requested a short job list for the website and email-notify feature for contractors.
•Board requested proof of liability insurance, a W-9 and an equipment list.
•Members asked about draw frequency and contingency if work exceeds available cash.
•Members debated whether to require seeding after debrushing; surveyor said it would add cost and is not always necessary.
•Members recommended starting with watersheds that already have engineering boundaries (Abe McConnell, 700 East project) and using consultants and GIS to produce parcel lists.
•Resident offered contracting services including ditching, trenching and forestry mulching.
•Some members raised concerns that small watershed accounts might only collect about $1,200–$1,500 annually and could be depleted by a single repair.
•Staff to follow up by email to collect documentation.
•Surveyor has not received a definitive FEMA decision on debris-removal funding and will follow up.
•Surveyor has prepared 40-page debrushing specs and will solicit quotes for multiple jobs (No Name Creek and others).
•Surveyor proposed moving $900,000 into investment to earn interest while leaving about $100,000 for maintenance.
•Surveyor proposed separating the Abe McConnell watershed (about 125 parcels) into its own account for clearer assessment and repair billing.
•Surveyor will assemble Mylar maps and legal descriptions and work with GIS to make corrections.
•The auditor's office and surveyor agreed the county could provide a temporary draw if needed.
•Wiley Excavating submitted an $18,000 quote to remove three logjams.
Decisions
•Board approved transfer of $900,000 to investment account.
•Item to remain on next month’s agenda for follow-up.
•No contract awarded; board agreed to solicit multiple quotes.
•No contract awarded; vendor registration materials to be submitted and evaluated.
•No final vote taken to separate Abe McConnell; board agreed to continue work and return with additional analysis.
•Set quote due date: November 9 at 4 p.m.; solicit multiple quotes for any job over $10,000.
Directions
•Board to review incoming quotes at next meeting.
•Jennifer to email vendor documents needed for registration.
•Look into procurement of software to automate parcel/account separation and tracking.
•Monitor upcoming debrushing jobs and claims to ensure sufficient working cash.
•Surveyor and auditor to coordinate transfer and report back on cash flow implications.
•Surveyor to advertise debrushing quotes and offer bid packages by mail/email; post concise job descriptions and enable email notifications on the website.
•Surveyor to continue developing parcel lists with GIS and to work with the auditor's office and consultants (Banning, Lochmuller, OW Cron) to plan separation.
•Surveyor to coordinate with Kyle Johnson and Kevin (Beacon) to update maps and bring progress report to next meeting.
•Surveyor to obtain additional quotes and follow up with FEMA contact (Corey Kisic).
Delaware County Redevelopment Commission 10/08/2026
Delaware County Redevelopment Commission met to consider a proposal from Equipment Share to develop a 6.5‑acre industrial equipment center on South Cowen Road, approve multiple funding pledges (including a $62,250 ask from Yorktown Fire Department and $100,000 for county stormwater), review TIF and bond matters, and update administrative procedures and project scoring.
Discussion Points
•$50 underpayment on previously approved invoice; reconcile to amount due and owing.
•Bond draws require full payment of property taxes before funds can be disbursed; owner/bondholder indicated taxes would be paid.
•Chief Boone described gear replacement schedule and mutual aid capabilities.
•Company presented site layout, employment, wages and capital estimate; access and stormwater were primary concerns.
•Legal authority to purchase and transfer property to individuals; revolving loan fund gap and seller financing; precedent for funding capital improvements instead.
•Need for a consistent rubric to evaluate proposals; deadlines to streamline claims processing.
•Scope: Industrias Center allocation areas; consideration of legislative session timing.
•Small community funding for youth athletics and county stormwater needs after flooding.
•Structure of invoices and timing for county processing; proposal details (four years, $75k/year catch‑up).
Decisions
•Adopt invoice deadlines and pilot the scoring rubric.
•Approve $62,250 contribution split among Magna Industrial, Morrison and Fountain Square.
•Approve Baker Tilly engagement not to exceed $15,000.
•Approve both resolutions and allocate funds from specified allocation areas.
•Commission approved the catch‑up schedule and directed staff to finalize the amendment.
•Commission voted to proceed with drafting agreement and studies.
•Motion to deny carried by roll call with one dissent.
•Motion to pay the corrected amount passed by roll call.
•No immediate action; verification required before draws proceed.
Directions
•Approve payment to reflect amount due and owing and update claims records.
•Deny the broad purchase request; encourage applicants to return with specific capital improvement proposals.
•Distribute the county portion across three specified TIF allocation areas.
•Pilot rubric on Cowen Road project; publish invoice deadlines and confirm November timing.
•Proceed with analysis now to understand capacity ahead of possible legislative changes.
•Process pledges and coordinate with departments for invoices and project scopes.
•Staff to draft economic development agreement and commission to authorize site/infrastructure studies.
•Staff to draft interlocal amendment and confirm invoice timing with auditor’s office.
•Staff to verify tax payment and update commission; invite Nortek for tenant update by year end.
Delaware County utility board approved a Yorktown wastewater rate increase, renewed employee health coverage with Clark Insurance, authorized easement and permitting work on sewer interceptors, adopted a strategic plan, and approved several routine financial actions including claims and a small tax write-off.
Discussion Points
•Board asked how decreased flow and reserved capacity affect per-unit cost; consultant explained operating-cost allocation and unchanged capacity fee.
•Board emphasized early engagement and presentation to county commissioners if a rate change is considered.
•Board members compared this increase to higher market rates elsewhere and praised claims processing and customer service.
•Board requested explicit date disclaimers and year-to-year notes for rate-related content to avoid implying finality.
•Clark's renewal carries a 14% premium increase estimated at $5,000 to the district; plan features a $7,500 deductible bought down to $2,500 by employer.
•Consultant explained formula-based rate increase from $3.64 to $4.46 per 1,000 gallons.
•Easement drafted because previous attorney did not record it; homeowner requested meter relocated and culvert work.
•Estimated cost $16k–$18k; consultant will use 2025 financials and adjust for 2026 if needed.
•Estimated materials cost around $2,500.
•Estimated not-to-exceed $35,000 for permitting and pre-construction planning.
•Minutes, claims, and multiple routine motions were presented and passed by voice vote.
•Permitting needed due to wetlands, floodplain and Indiana bat restrictions; work likely in winter.
•Plan circulated for two months with updates to job descriptions and financial context.
•Yorktown rate and permitting tasks were discussed more fully and were acted on separately.
Decisions
•Adopt the updated strategic plan.
•Approve Berry property easement.
•Approve Clark Insurance renewal.
•Approve Commonwealth task order not to exceed $35,000.
•Approve rate-analysis task order at the estimated price.
•Approve Yorktown wastewater treatment rate at $4.46 per 1,000 gallons.
•Multiple routine and substantive approvals as listed above.
Directions
•Staff to add date and update-cadence language and post plan on website.
•Staff to begin permitting and seek contractor quotations; present procurement options if work exceeds bid thresholds.
•Staff to contract the analysis, present results to finance committee, and prepare outreach timeline.
•Staff to include new Yorktown rate figures in draft budget and circulate before November meeting.
•Staff to include the premium change in the draft budget and monitor market alternatives.
•Staff to proceed with work and report procurement needs if costs exceed thresholds.
•Staff to update budgets and post minutes and strategic plan to website.
Delaware County Council approved the 2026 county and airport budgets, corrected an airport tax-rate omission, and passed several budget reductions after debate about how raises were distributed across departments.
Discussion Points
•Chair explained purpose and scope of the reductions.
•Chair explained the omission and the proposed corrective appeal to DLGF for a 0.133 rate.
•Chair presented special airport tax rates and noted airport authority participation in discussions.
•Commissioner Brand requested confirmation that rehab funding and Purdue Extension amounts were included and received confirmation.
•Council noted reductions may be due to frugality or forecasting but were necessary adjustments.
•Council raised equity concerns and noted interest in prioritizing lower-paid staff in future budget cycles.
•Judge Calhoun requested delay and argued differential raises devalue some employees.
•Judge Calhoun requested delay and reconsideration of raise allocation; Council defended allocations as the result of multiple meetings and use of the salary study.
•Judge proposed an alternative: either a straight-percentage budget increase for courts or at least a minimum 3% for all court employees.
•One member recorded a recorded 'No' vote during roll call.
•The airport authority representative was not present but had participated in earlier discussions.
•Tom confirmed willingness to move the surveyor office manager position's funding into the perpetuation fund.
Decisions
•Adopted Resolution 2026-010 and submitted budgets to state for approval.
•Approved Resolution 2026-011; incorporate rates into county filings.
•Approved Resolution 2026-012; implement reductions in departmental appropriations.
•Approved Resolution 2026-013; proceed with state appeal.
•Confirmed funding for exterior rehab ($750,000) and Purdue Extension ($54,000 as presented).
•Confirmed willingness to move surveyor position funding to Perpetuation Fund.
•Council declined to delay; proceeded to vote on budget.
Directions
•Departments requested to submit budget-process suggestions by end of January.
•File appeal to DLGF for adoption of the tax rate.
•Forward communications about requested changes to specified staff (Elizabeth, Whitney, Ed, Tanya).
•Submit adopted budget and tax rates to the state for approval; handle post-budget administrative items (surveyor, assessor, IT) in follow-up meetings.
Delaware County Commissioners held their Oct. 5 meeting, including a public hearing on transferring tax-sale certificates to nonprofits, a second public hearing on a $500,000 CDBG owner-occupied rehab grant (with an $87,000 county match), multiple contracts and procurement items, broadband and data-center discussion, and several department reports and routine approvals.
Discussion Points
•Local match proposed at $87,000 to be identified from EDIT funds; commissioners requested legal guidance on which EDIT line to use.
•No public speakers appeared to support or oppose transfers.
•Program details: eligible activities (roofing, ADA, HVAC, electrical, water heaters) and homeowner eligibility; OCRA application deadline Oct. 30 and anticipated awards Jan. 2027.
•Staff read property addresses under consideration.
Decisions
•Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-008 pending legal review of funding source.
•Public hearing closed by roll call.
Directions
•Staff to finalize application materials and assemble interest forms; legal to advise which EDIT fund to use for the match; if awarded, staff to return recommended project packages for commissioner approval.
Delaware County Commissioners met Oct. 5, 2026. Commissioners opened two public hearings (tax-sale certificate transfers and a CDBG owner-occupied rehab grant application), approved multiple contracts and budget actions, heard public comment urging a moratorium on data-center development, and took routine votes on claims, payroll and project funding.
Discussion Points
•Bid amounts and bidder locations
•Calls for a formal moratorium to allow zoning updates and community input
•Commissioner response describing prior panels and scheduled public open houses for AEP transmission study
•Competition improved vendor terms and data‑retention concerns
•Costs (TV and subscription)
•Deadline for application (Oct. 30) and award timeline (Jan. 2027)
•Impact on GLP‑1 medication coverage and employee communications
•Implementation delay into early 2027
•Local match amount ($87,000) and which edit fund will cover it
•Necessity of resiliency to prevent service interruptions
•Need for engineer and legal review before awarding contract
•One dissent on credit‑card payment recorded
•Pilot location and submission process for departments
•Program eligibility (county vs. City of Muncie); eligible activities and per‑household cap ($25,000)
•Projected rebates and savings by aggregating county with larger employers
•Project scope and split of costs between 2026 and 2027 edits
•Public concern about data center siting, electricity demand and transparency
•Totals for claims, ARP payments and payroll
Decisions
•Addendum approved and president authorized to sign
•Agreements approved; proceed with implementation planning
Regular meeting of the Delaware County Stormwater Board on 2026-10-05 covering project updates (Ken Drive, DeSoto, Stoney Creek), MS4 coordinator report and cleanup numbers, erosion work near County Road 800 S/US 35, a $25,000 funding request, claims approval, and adjournment.
Discussion Points
•Alternative to restore ditch to its original location proposed
•Annual facility inspections and audit on Nov. 18 being scheduled
•Board moved and seconded payment of claims
•Contractor had scheduling conflicts delaying start
•Contractor materials ordered and ready
•Contractor plans to start this week
•Coordination required with Henry County because property lies in that county
•Easement finalization by Ashland Land Surveyors
•Expected completion by Nov. 2
•Farmers installing plastic tile increasing runoff into ditches
•FEMA documented erosion and quotes for riprap obtained
•Member requested $25,000 for conservation work
•Mrs. Parks reported claims of $33,587.43
•No formal action taken this meeting
•Raindrop Run had 13 participants plus parents
•Scope includes 8-inch dual-wall plastic pipe and maintenance access at road and creek
•Some tile work may be coordinated through the surveyor's office while other work may be done independently
•Staff noted revenue posting and December deadline
•Summerhill cited as an example of impacted downstream area
Delaware County Stormwater Board Meeting 10/05/2026
Delaware County Stormwater Board met Oct. 5, 2026 to review project updates (Ken Drive, DeSoto), consider a $25,000 soil-and-water funding request, hear MS4 coordinator event and cleanup reports, discuss erosion on County Road 800 S and farmer field tile concerns, approve claims, and adjourn.
Discussion Points
•Alternative to restore original ditch alignment
•Approval of minutes with corrections
•Audit scheduled Nov. 18 and facility inspections being scheduled
•Contractor delays and planned start this week
•Contractor has materials ordered and is ready
•Coordination with Henry County required
•Easement finalization by Ashland Land Surveyors
•Example at Summerhill where multiple tile lines tied into local drains
•Farmers installing plastic tile may increase ditch flows
•FEMA assessment and documentation
•Motion to adjourn carried by voice vote
•Need by end of year (December)
•New revenue posted to account
•No public comment speakers
•Payment of claims $33,587.43
•Raindrop Run participation (13)
•Request for $25,000 for soil-and-water conservation
•Riprap protection quotes are costly
•Some landowners notify surveyor's office; some do not
•Target completion date Nov. 2
•Use of 8-inch dual-wall plastic pipe and access at road and creek for maintenance
•White River cleanup removed 16.97 tons of trash
Decisions
•Board confirmed original contract (just over $9,000) and approved proceeding pending easement completion
•Claims approved
•Meeting adjourned
•Minutes approved
Directions
•Leave item on agenda for further consideration
•Leave item on agenda until easement and work complete
•Schedule paving after drainage work complete
•Staff to develop plans and coordinate with Henry County
•Staff to monitor contractor schedule and report at next meeting
•Staff to monitor tile installations and coordinate with surveyor's office on complaints
•Staff to schedule inspections and coordinate with highway department
The Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission heard three zoning items (a rezoning appeal from Star Plus Holdings, a home-occupation special-use application for a small yoga studio, and a lengthy continued public hearing on a proposed McKinley neighborhood overlay), voted to continue the overlay with instructions to submit a clean final draft, and received a director's report noting permit totals and Delaware County's Healthy Community redesignation.
Discussion Points
•Applicant said classes would be small (4\u00025 clients) and parking handled on-site
•Applicant said parcel was split-zoned due to vacated railroad right-of-way
•Applicant stated no contracts for data centers/solar/wind exist at this time
•Approval of minutes at the top of the meeting
•Commissioners requested consolidated final text and legal review
•Continuation of McKinley overlay with request for single final draft
•Delaware County redesignated as Indiana Healthy Community; working groups to address weaker categories
•Favorable recommendations for rezoning and special use forwarded to higher bodies
•Neighbor asked whether a data center was intended and requested site noise observation
•Neighborhood presented targeted edits (MNRC authority, appeals, appointments, surety, ADU heights, lot coverage)
•Permits issued through September: 687; inspections referenced as about 1,900; plan/site reviews 98
•Procedural options for special meeting and council filing were discussed
•Staff confirmed home occupation special-use rules apply in R-3
Decisions
•County redesignation noted; further planning and outreach to follow
•Favorable recommendation (8-0) to County Commissioners
•Favorable recommendation forwarded to Board of Zoning Appeals
•Minutes approved; two favorable recommendations forwarded; McKinley overlay continued (8-0)
•Motion to continue passed 8-0; item continued to next meeting
Directions
•Applicant must attend BZA hearing on Oct. 29 to represent case
•Forward favorable recommendation to County Commissioners; applicant to appear Oct 19
•Proponents to submit a single clean ordinance text (no redlines) to Planning Office
•Proponents to submit consolidated McKinley ordinance text for staff/legal review
•Staff and counsel to review final text prior to next commission meeting
•Staff to convene working groups and provide action plan for improving scores before next redesignation
•Staff to transmit recommendations to County Commissioners and BZA
Delaware County Council continued its 2027 budget hearing, discussed an estimated $5.57M ending balance (potentially rising to about $6.0M with $964,559 in proposed givebacks), debated department-by-department salary increases and public-safety priorities, and scheduled final adoption for next Wednesday.
Discussion Points
•Auditor to correct chart errors and finalize payroll/FICA calculations
•Budget overview: projected 2027 ending balance $5,572,944 and $964,559 in givebacks
•CASA staff already working 40 hours and on-call
•Concern about recurring funding if supplemental LIT revenues are not realized
•Concerns about assuming givebacks as recurring revenue
•Concerns about precedent and equity across departments
•Grant-funded vs. county-funded roles and retention risk
•Operational risks of shifting to 40-hour workweeks
•Pay-compression concerns where supervisors could earn less than subordinates
•Proposal for targeted public-safety raises and funding moves
•Proposal to set elected-official base at $60,000 and chief deputies at 85%
•Purdue Extension contract increase to ~ $200,000 proposed for 2027
•Unclear deliverables tied to the additional $45,000; county employees moved to Purdue payroll
Decisions
•Adopt schedule for final budget adoption; no final budget vote taken in this session.
•No final decision taken; staff to return cost estimates.
•No final vote; direction to staff for cost estimates
•No funding decision recorded; county staff to follow up.
•No immediate change; request included in personnel modeling.
•No immediate policy change; more information requested.
Directions
•Auditor's office to prepare final paperwork and run calculations for FICA/PERF and provide results by late Monday/early Tuesday
•Auditor to cost effects including FICA/PERF and provide figures before adoption meeting
•Auditor to model fund transfers and revenue sensitivity
•Auditor to model operational and budget impacts of 40-hour changes and raises
•Auditor to verify budget treatment of CASA positions and include in personnel costing
•Council to convene for adoption meeting next Wednesday at 9 a.m.
•Council to revisit public-safety funding when final numbers available
•Staff to request detailed deliverables and consequences from Purdue for the increased fee
Metropolitan Planning Commission - October 1st, 2026
Delaware CountyMuncie Metropolitan Plan Commission met in October 2026 to consider multiple zoning cases including a rezoning request from Star Plus Holdings, a home-occupation special-use for a yoga studio, and a continued public hearing on the McKinley neighborhood overlay. The commission issued favorable recommendations on two cases, continued the McKinley overlay for a final clean draft, and heard the director's report including a county health-community redesignation.
Discussion Points
•Announcements about parks-plan open houses and MPO conference logistics.
•Applicant described small scale of operation and parking; commissioners confirmed home-occupation rules.
•Applicant said he purchased the parcel at auction and has farmed it since purchase; he denied existing contracts with data centers or renewable energy developers.
•Commissioners expressed concern about multiple versions being circulated and wanting a single clean draft to review before forwarding to city council.
•Commission recorded unanimous 8-0 votes for two referrals and an 8-0 vote to continue the McKinley overlay.
•County redesignation as an Indiana Healthy Community; need to address lower-scoring categories through action planning.
•Multiple roll-call votes recorded; some abstentions noted for minute approval.
•Neighbor asked whether rezoning would enable a data center and urged an on-site noise assessment if that is the plan.
•Neighborhood association presented revised language covering committee authority, appeals, appointment process, surety and expiration of approvals.
•Neighborhood requested ADU max height of 30 feet for detached-garage ADUs in Area 5 to allow buildable second-floor units.
•No opposition speakers were present at the hearing.
•Staff explained the split zoning resulted from a prior rail vacation and that rezoning would correct the split zoning.
Decisions
•Favorable recommendation (8-0) forwarded to BZA.
•Favorable recommendation forwarded to county commissioners (8-0).
•Hearing continued to the commission's next meeting (motion passed 8-0).
•No formal action taken; informational report.
•See listed actions above.
Directions
•Consider scheduling a special commission meeting to meet filing deadlines if necessary.
•Forward favorable recommendation to Board of Zoning Appeals; applicant instructed to attend BZA meeting.
•Forward favorable recommendation to Delaware County Commissioners; notify applicant of county hearing date.
•Monitor county and BZA dockets for forthcoming hearings.
•Staff to convene working group and post public-input opportunities.
•Staff to prepare a consolidated clean version and a summary for city council review.
