BTC President Curtis Ward answers questions about new town hall project (INCLUDED EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE FIRED EDITOR)

By John Estridge

A series of questions was sent by this Fired Editor to the Brookville Town Council concerning funding for the proposed new Brookville Town Hall. They were answered both verbally and in writing by BTC President Curtis Ward at the March 9 BTC meeting.

Let’s start with the last question first and then go to the first question second.

The last question concerned why the Brookville taxpayers and residents were not asked what they wanted in a building the town council was planning to purchase and then extensively remodel. The town council wants to build a new town hall apparently from an existing building.

Note: all Ward’s answers were copied and pasted from the document he emailed to the Fired Editor. They are verbatim except for where I write out what the initials stand for.

Question and answer were:

Question: Why a town hall? Why not open it up to the Brookville residents and see what kind of use they would like for a building and their tax money?

Ward: “The RFPQ (Request for Proposals/Qualifications) process was a direct result from an individual offering the town an opportunity to purchase real estate. Part of the RFPQ process will include a public hearing on the proposal. Due to the nature of the real estate purchase, public participation has been limited as to allow the town the best chance at purchasing the property free of additional competition in the market. The Brookville Town Council will welcome feedback at the appropriate time to make sure all voices are heard.”

Apparently, that means the quick action needed — at the demand of the seller — by the BTC at this point overrides what those paying for the new building — the new town hall — may want instead of or in addition to a new town hall. Or maybe, those paying for the new building do not want anything new and different at all. Again, the seller’s need to do things quickly overrides the constituents/taxpayers, according to the BTC members.

The first question on the list is what is going to be discussed next.

The question involved the funding for the proposed new town hall. In the RFPQ, which Ward read at the February 9 meeting, it states that a public private partnership will be utilized for funding.

“…the town invites any and all qualified parties to submit Proposals and Statements of Qualifications to obtain financing, develop, and construct Town projects in the Town in a public private partnership, the scope of which will be determined in a scoping period with the selected proposer and will include construction of a new town hall.”

Public private partnerships are also called PPP and P3.

The question and answer concerning PPPs were:

In reading about PPPs in Indiana, this country and the world, there is always a way for the private part of a partnership to recoup the investment and make a profit i.e. toll roads. How does the private part of this PPP replenish its investment at a profit when the structure is a town hall?

Ward: “I’m unfamiliar with PPPs. We have used the BOT (Build Operate Transfer) process before to complete the pool project. The benefits of the BOT were presented by the Brookville RDC (Brookville Redevelopment Commission) and FC EDC (Economic Development Commission) consulting firm, the Wheatley Groups, as an alternative to the more traditional approach of Bond financing. Using the pool as an example, the cost for bond financing would have been approximately $250,000 compared to GM financing fee of approximately $25,000 which included oversight of entire project.”

Again, I just want to emphasize I got my question regarding PPP funding from the document Ward read at a public meeting.

The rest of the questions and the corresponding answers are:

Why did you decide to go PPP for the funding?

Ward: “We have only decided to explore our options using the BOT process. This allows us to vet the project, create designs and feasibility plans before committing or spending any funds. If we choose to cancel moving forward with the project, the town is not out any funds other than the cost to advertise the RFPQ process and public hearing. Additionally, if we move forward with the project, the town will have a guaranteed budget and would not be subject (to) cost increases, change orders, etc…”

Are you going to use TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds from BRC (Brookville Redevelopment Commission) to pay for the construction cost?

Ward: “We have not approached BRC with any requests pertaining to this project.”

If yes, has the BRC been approached? Will the TIF pay for the whole cost?

Ward: “n/a See above response”

If no, how are you going to pay for the construction?

Ward: “The next phase of the RFPQ process will help answer this for the town. The repayment would be pledged consistent with the Aquatic Center repayment which was pledged from LIT (Local Option Income Tax).”