[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6226703,"mediaKeyId","3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165","parentId",3503986,"title","New state road-funding law reduces Community Crossings grants and ties new distribution to wheel tax, county highway director warns","audioSeconds",501,"startMs",3333000,"endMs",3834000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165&start=3333&end=3834","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165/thumbnail_3333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226703/Boone-County/Indiana/New-state-road-funding-law-reduces-Community-Crossings-grants-and-ties-new-distribution-to-wheel-tax-county-highway-director-warns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226703-0cd85d165c7ad41baf3b9542aa41f9d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139047&Signature=LbPR8FUdWlvCKQv5tCdNSzggHrycjBKDjFFIWklSej3ZU68-f98R~CMyFkhBvdm83Y2oFgOwfOERnbZSrUf2bn9j~dR0zy6ZUzGqAzwaNWIYCVoFil0VUenndQWhRZPw6p5enyKr3xIMzIU0Px7oGC4EslytEPV4vAF2zHkuc46qp3FSsNDzgZiHlqiGlVS7W5myABF86PGMFkw~pva5IP2xi5ITjxaL3sZ1Y-uTKkPNkMDJ8AIzUba7Ry6OdvOZnZo~w7fw1tBk11bUC5Hw3DZsQjN1wWLbvzXO367AnZQJtVV55kfwlkZv~MowhPDx28bS683gpJXF~3s7Qpl95Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boone County IN","date","2025-05-25T08:55:00.557Z","article","Boone County Highway Director Nick Barr briefed the council on changes in state road funding that will affect local budgeting and project planning after the passage of the road-funding bill discussed at the meeting.

Barr said the Community Crossings program — which historically paid 50% of construction on many local bridge and preservation projects — was previously supported from an approximately $350 million pot. The bill reduced the portion available to Community Crossings to $100 million, a significant cut that means fewer awards and unpredictability for county budgeting. Barr told the council that the program’s administering agency advised not to expect the former top award amounts or regular annual caps.

The legislation also directs $50 million to Indianapolis for road projects (with matching requirements and use restrictions) and $20 million annually to a program addressing at-grade railroad crossings. Barr emphasized the remainder is to be distributed to counties and qualifying cities and towns by a new formula based on lane miles rather than road miles.

Crucially, Barr said, the new distribution is available only to jurisdictions that adopt a wheel tax (a fee charged at vehicle registration). He warned county officials that, while the wheel-tax distribution could bring significant revenue (an illustrative estimate from Purdue’s LTAP showed Boone County might receive about $867,000 annually under a hypothetical statewide adoption scenario), the new scheme also imposes a new tax on vehicle registrations and makes funding levels dependent on how many other jurisdictions adopt wheel taxes.

Barr said the change will force the highway department to revise budgeting assumptions: “The significant reduction in Community Crossings is gonna have an impact immediately on budget. Absolutely. We won't be able to budget for that $1,500,000,” he said, referring to historical local expectations. He added that the new distribution’s amount is uncertain and cannot be relied on as a stable budget line until jurisdictions decide whether to adopt wheel taxes.

Why it matters: The two-part change — less Community Crossings funding and a new wheel-tax–conditioned distribution — changes how Boone County must plan and budget for preservation, bridge and small-structure projects and creates a policy choice for the council about whether to authorize a wheel tax to access the new revenue stream.

Next steps: Barr requested further council discussion; the county will invite technical presenters (LTAP and other experts) to explain wheel-tax structures, distribution formulas and likely revenue under different adoption scenarios before council votes on any wheel-tax ordinance.

Quotable: “That additional revenue…that turns into, we don't know. So do we need a wheel tax to keep functioning as we currently are? No. We're able to take care of our assets. We're not expanding, but we're able to take care of the assets,” Barr said, adding that reduced Community Crossings funding will reduce funds available for preservation work.

Follow-up: The council scheduled a future presentation from LTAP and TIF staff to review the bill's details and potential local impacts on revenue and budgeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boone County Council Meeting 05-13-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Boone County Highway Director Nick Barr told council that a recently passed state road-funding bill reduces the Community Crossings pot and ties a new distribution to jurisdictions that adopt a wheel tax, creating both funding uncertainty and a potential local tax choice.","taxTitle","Boone County, Indiana","taxId",52300,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226707,"Area Plan Commission funds consultant work, council tables full appropriation for comprehensive plan",1362,1924000,3286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165&start=1924&end=3286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165/thumbnail_1924000.jpg","/articles/6226707/Boone-County/Indiana/Area-Plan-Commission-funds-consultant-work-council-tables-full-appropriation-for-comprehensive-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226707-827a97768fdab59e107011b910dcf167/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139047&Signature=Gqt3iY4KEPVCYrvAmbH5Jk8P-6t6ViXTzYHYBjBI6KWwtOdQqsVCnw~pdzqG0S8R-ZyjRebOTM1TmCA831kjWMRSBggonjIyPNfMYNYu6AH1TCqxQ72Z1Ld2YhBGathM2gYVpbSjjZBJX6QCxRVdhhCRw6crKuz3HDgS5MkZt425U1g-cgWgPhiuh2Duxm0dY2wscYVrPhI8A9A1qknOgCZO5ZrFs1z9xWN0dUfVM3I9Tgn9DVkL0d6ACb~UPE0bOSX-5X1b5u3ZNxKul-3LfBdFr0351v0QChsmx1qL4HkhRGmAwd9ERqOyEBSFOTVtuPVXJ8f5seYa7ATK-R9KCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County Council approved reallocating APC funds to pay an existing consultant and tabled, until June, a request to appropriate the remainder of funds for a proposed comprehensive-plan contract with HWC.

John Werson, speaking for the Area Plan Commission, asked the council to move $55,000 from the executive director salary line to the planning consultant line to pay a consultant identified as Deb, who has been working with the APC as a consultant rather than a full-time executive director. Council members discussed the merits of keeping Deb under a consultant agreement rather than hiring a new full-time director; Werson and APC members said Deb’s experience and continuity are valuable for the ongoing comprehensive-plan work.

Council members asked for a written contract before final approval. The motion to reallocate funds to the planning consultant line passed after a seconder added the condition that the payment be subject to having a contract in place.

Separately, APC staff and commissioners outlined a broader request for the county to commit up to $400,000 to a comprehensive-plan update being led by HWC. APC representatives said the total contract ceiling is $400,000, with $100,000 already appropriated for this year. APC asked the council to commit the balance so the vendor would begin work; staff and councilors voiced concern about committing the full amount now because state revenue changes and other budget uncertainties make near-term appropriations sensitive.

Council agreed to table the appropriation request until the June meeting so APC can provide a schedule of payments, the executed contract (if any) and clarity on how much of the $400,000 would be spent in 2025. APC staff said work will be phased, that initial steering-committee formation and outreach will drive early invoices, and that much of the spending may occur in later phases.

Why it matters: The APC’s consultant support and the comprehensive-plan update address county land-use and zoning policy; decisions about funding affect staffing, the timeline for plan updates and whether outside funds such as an IEDC economic development payment will be needed to cover the contract.

What was decided: Council approved the $55,000 reallocation to the planning consultant line (subject to a contract) and tabled the request for additional appropriation of up to $300,000 (to reach the $400,000 cap) until June to receive a payment schedule and contract information.

Quotable: John Werson said, “Deb is not interested in changing her relationship with us. Certainly, we would like to have the opportunity to hire her full time, which is not going to happen for her. But we have a very good working relationship utilizing her in a consultant position.”

Next steps: APC will provide the council with the contract or bid breakdown and a payment schedule in advance of the June meeting; council will revisit appropriation once it receives that schedule and after further discussion about IEDC contributions.","Council approved moving funds to pay a planning consultant and agreed to table a separate request to appropriate up to $400,000 for the comprehensive plan until June while APC provides a payment schedule and contract details.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226711,"Boone County council authorizes president to sign letter supporting IEDC economic development payment request",613,349000,962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165&start=349&end=962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165/thumbnail_349000.jpg","/articles/6226711/Boone-County/Indiana/Boone-County-council-authorizes-president-to-sign-letter-supporting-IEDC-economic-development-payment-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226711-f996f8719895867b021276bfe47a97e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139047&Signature=IXBJlz~H5g5XfcpUmpS~92-hahQ83QcgxWUH5IB2cji8~9KWiQ2cghMYOziXct3itGSubNsy170~C-2j~hI5RZ1W3HULoZEX0e2JhcLndae6mdLP~3P6cYgMh8QAWuagc3QRVI7th7ICSyzxnfC0o46bkbQWCf4yWtfP04MUruA4dS4o3wNhWYbGmTDWrUZ~dpEv0HeRZiaO7bJvlrynxXzKu093U9aEkTxVqyEFRioU0LjViXs1ZSqSQFAS9Csrt30w2CAReDBGqmPAS0N4qnaK9F~o2TvRJ4yUCBRMHtfxSdkerrKYsALRShKJfv65Z5YW6KTgiQNLw9MVMPJZ-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County Council on a vote authorized the council president to sign a letter supporting a request for an economic development payment (EDP) tied to an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).

County Attorney Beth Copeland told the council the county entered into an MOU with IEDC on Nov. 15, 2024, that requires any EDP request to identify (1) the project to be funded, (2) the nexus to development activities, (3) the amount requested and (4) the budget or funding account to which the payment would be directed. Copeland said the commissioners prefer a joint approach between executive and legislative branches and that she had prepared a draft letter for council signatures once final details are confirmed.

Copeland said the payment coming from IEDC would be designated an “economic development payment” rather than a tax and that the MOU forbids calling it a pilot tax. She told the council the IEDC contract under discussion for a comprehensive-plan-related contract is for $400,000 and that the EDP, if approved, could help fund the county’s comprehensive-plan update.

After legal briefing and discussion about where any received funds would be recorded and appropriated, Council moved and passed a motion to empower the council president to sign the support letter on behalf of the council. The motion was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: The action commits the council to a formal, documented request path consistent with the November MOU and begins the county’s internal planning for routing any EDP payment through the general fund and then into a restricted fund or appropriation for its intended use if, and when, the payment is received.

What the council said: Copeland described the MOU obligations and the need to identify budget accounts for any EDP payment. “We are to specifically identify the project for which funding is to be created, describe the nexus or relationship of the project to the development activities, identify the amount and which budget or funding accounts that that EDP payment will be directed,” Copeland said.

Next steps: Copeland said she will finalize the draft letter and share it with council; Auditor Crum and Copeland discussed how the EDP would appear in county accounts and the likely need to establish a rebating or restricted fund for the payment once received. The council did not appropriate any dollars at this meeting; it authorized only the signature of the letter of support.","County attorney presented the MOU with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and outlined requirements for an economic development payment; council voted to empower the council president to sign a letter of support identifying the project, nexus, amount and budget account.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226694,"Residents urge Boone County council to press library board on youth programming",163,2566000,2729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165&start=2566&end=2729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165/thumbnail_2566000.jpg","/articles/6226694/Boone-County/Indiana/Residents-urge-Boone-County-council-to-press-library-board-on-youth-programming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226694-2d0cd1f10fa1480d6aaaf3f9817c0c12/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139047&Signature=DHBy-djo7ZkA5gdzzwpKyyyx-e5ndb-k1zf9HA4scOGb7Ji96XRfWBhQ0yzOQ4SF1T6Ch4T9vWDCxoKjsyKiknlB6QcHYzqZuDJvH4JM1N-WAKabshegqSxSr5WTwEtBBVbQY5XRLRELky~5ZYqXxIAwETrUmqJggTqTvizlGVCpTBt51wcaQjybajMn5lwHztbi-5R5JxsWeic4vurTCXhtK0u1JP2tSl-UwsLcygHuBlaJHPWpWFW0HpeTPwLhxaC22Y2ygIS4blriw3rqHd1GheE921M3WHL3C3Oz2yC-w48w7GxNdRvnPDwVhAXxCzW0N7QwuvBOSrhHmMnJWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the Boone County Council meeting, two residents urged council members who appoint library board members to press the Hussey-Mayfield Library board about youth programming they said normalized LGBTQ themes for children.

A man who identified himself from Lebanon criticized the library for a Pride Month event and a prior display he called unsuitable for children, saying the library had promoted a “pride party for sixth graders through college age” and a transgender-visibility display. He told the council, “Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund these programs,” and asked that council appointees to the library board oppose them.

Later, Christina Holden of Zionsville said she had met with library leadership and learned the library follows a collection-development policy for purchases but that display choices were made by library staff. She urged the council to instruct its two appointees to the board — named in the comment as Edward Kimbra and Sarah Jones — to “stand for families” and to consider appointing conservative board members if vacancies occur.

Why it matters: Library-board appointments are made by the county council; public comments asked the council to use that appointment authority to influence library programming and displays directed at youth.

What the council did: Council members received the public comments; no formal action was taken at the meeting.

Quotable: A public commenter said the library’s invitation for a youth event read, in part, “whether you’re gay, trans, an ally, or anything under the rainbow, you’re welcome,” and urged the council to direct appointees to oppose such programs.

Follow-up: Council staff said they would collect copies of materials the commenter offered and share them with council members and appointees as requested.","Two residents raised concerns during public comment about Hussey-Mayfield Library programs they described as promoting LGBTQ themes to minors and asked council appointees to the library board to oppose such programs or to replace board members.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226699,"Boone County Council adds five-minute council-comments item after debate over limits",297,1581000,1878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165&start=1581&end=1878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503986-a5a1d1cad5e0a39976a8e20b56aa5165/thumbnail_1581000.jpg","/articles/6226699/Boone-County/Indiana/Boone-County-Council-adds-five-minute-council-comments-item-after-debate-over-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226699-7c4fe1864bc764de385fb7594640ff98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139047&Signature=lAdi7rS90wB3bdwpfieJ4CYxb1DBrVo0QRWk2m8tuwzT0QA~cuKSZ77jqJxcK3tnJWgXlms6VvYhXTRypa0KChwO1yyE33xTlCQsuc1X4xGvKE6q9t0~Dad6rAgli2Mh-UlyjqRVIEd0XG7~Xz-eGSEYgeU0pypnRMfr3geu0XfMRRwhMcD18Mdk87K~y67PACT1TFlW7BNGsRZuzY7bjjkfiDX54i3pdN3-7ojpKROyq5popcECk2E-7flkZetHKto1U~29XgAWeZcQQDA5qV7vHU~vICLWy-e0d1uySxcspNJSG77sjq78isUF4WJxLTL2HR8z2C8npHU9D9t22Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County Council voted to add a council-comments item to the end of future agendas and to set a five-minute time limit for that section.

The council held an extended discussion about whether elected members should have a time-limited period to raise issues not on the agenda. Several council members opposed putting time limits on elected officials’ remarks, calling the idea a potential “slippery slope.” Others argued a set limit is a useful tool to keep meetings on schedule and that the council can suspend rules by motion if members need more time.

After debate, a motion to add council comments with a five-minute limit passed by roll call vote 4–3. Several members indicated the rule can be revisited in the future.

Why it matters: The new agenda item creates a formal, time-bound opportunity for council members to raise issues that were not part of the evening’s agenda but does not restrict discussion on agenda items themselves.

Details on the vote: Roll-call responses recorded on the motion included yes votes from Councilmen Lamar, Ritchie, Van Horn and one other member; no votes from Councilmen Reiner, Buckett and Williams. The motion carried 4–3.

Quotable: During debate one member said putting time constraints on elected members is “a slippery slope,” while another noted that communities frequently include time limits and that the council can suspend the rule by majority vote if additional time is warranted.

Implementation: The council’s clerk will add “council comments” to future agendas with a five-minute allotment; members may move to suspend the time limit with a council vote.","After extended debate about whether to impose time limits on elected members’ remarks, the council voted 4–3 to add a council-comments item at the end of the agenda with a five-minute limit per meeting for council member remarks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New state road-funding law reduces Community Crossings grants and ties new distribution to wheel tax, county highway director warns

Area Plan Commission funds consultant work, council tables full appropriation for comprehensive plan

Boone County council authorizes president to sign letter supporting IEDC economic development payment request

Residents urge Boone County council to press library board on youth programming

Boone County Council adds five-minute council-comments item after debate over limits