County OKs funds to entice more workers

Seventy-one people live in Wayne County through the Make My Move program, and that total is expected to increase.

Wayne County commissioners and council members approved during their Sept. 17 workshop spending $150,000 from the consolidated economic development income tax fund to extend the county’s contract with the Make My Move company. After reaching a goal of 30 families relocating to the county, the new goal is 20 more families.

The $150,000 includes $50,000 for the Make My Move contract and $100,000 in incentives. Each family receives $2,500 when moving to the county and another $2,500 after remaining in the county for a year.

After 10 families move to the county, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation will reimburse the county $70,000, so the total program cost would be $80,000.

Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, which has solely administered the program for more than a year, said the EDC would like to continue the momentum started with remote workers, who were targeted during the first contracts, and expand the program to include job seekers hired by local employers. The job seekers would need to have acquired a Wayne County job before receiving the incentives to help them relocate to the county.

Commissioner Brad Dwenger said he was opposed when the county began its Make My Move efforts, but said he was wrong, saying it had been a great program attracting people to Wayne County. He made the motion for commissioners to approve the contract, which was passed unanimously. Council then also unanimously approved the expenditure from consolidated EDIT.

Council wasn’t as eager to see the county establish a land bank that would hold and sell blighted properties for revitalization. Shaffer said a land bank helps county communities become proactive in improving blighted properties and saving neighborhoods.

Members heard Shaffer’s presentation about recommendations from Renew Landbank about establishing the land bank; however, no vote was taken. Shaffer suggested a small work group with council members, the EDC and Renew Landbank to hash through issues surrounding the land bank.

The proposal includes $100,000 in seed money from consolidated EDIT. The county would be asked for annual $80,000 contributions, while the city of Richmond is asked to contribute $60,000 annually. Any town participating in the program would be asked for $5,000 annually.

An employee hired to oversee the land bank would be a county employee, mostly because that provides access to the county health insurance plan; however, all costs would be covered by the land bank funding. If the land bank works, it would be self-sustaining financially.

Some council members expressed concern about adding a county employee when vacant positions are being eliminated during their budget discussions.

Library bond

Council members briefly discussed Morrisson-Reeves Library’s request for an $18 million bond to help fund a nearly $24 million building project at its 80 N. Sixth St. location. Council tabled the request during an Aug. 20 public hearing and asked MRL to explore options that would reduce the bond request.

Max Smith, council’s president, said he and council member Jeff Cappa met with library leaders two days after the public hearing.

“We were very clear at that meeting that it was not our responsibility to find a solution to their issues,” Smith said. “It was their responsibility, that we were there to assist or discuss, but they needed to look at alternatives and come with a solution that they would like to have and implement, and their choice as a board has been ‘have another public meeting and come back in November to request our approval for the bond issue.’”

Council member Barry Ritter said that council explicitly requested working with the library to discuss options, but no joint work appears imminent.

“That really concerns me from the county’s perspective that the library does not appear to be pursuing a resolution with an alternative that doesn’t carry such a significant financial impact,” Ritter said.

No date had been finalized for a November bond request meeting.

An $18 million bond would carry about $1.7 million in debt service annually. That would come from property tax funds that are split among multiple taxing districts, including the county, lessening their property tax revenue. 

Severe structural issues with MRL’s building were the impetus for the building project, then MRL planned a redesigned library with community input. Without solving the structural and other safety issues, MRL would need to leave the current building.

Council member Gary Saunders thinks a misconception among the public is that the library would cease to exist if the bond request is not approved.

Unanimous votes

Council members unanimously approved interlocal agreements with Fountain City, Economy, Boston and Whitewater about electronic speed signs. The county will give the signs to the towns through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, who will maintain them.

Interlocal agreements with Cambridge City, Dublin, East Germantown, Economy and Milton to provide and install equipment for Wi-Fi in playgrounds improved through the HELP program were also approved unanimously. Cost is $3,000 per town, and the towns agree to provide the internet service for three years.

Council also unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with HELP the Animals shelter to provide $30,000 for an improvement project. Half the money will come from commissioners’ discretionary money, and the other half will come from the budget’s animal welfare line item.