[{"_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",6158089,"mediaKeyId","5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372","parentId",5461533,"title","City announces DORA launch ahead of Ironman event; business training, maps and signage completed","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",10681000,"endMs",10829000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372&start=10681&end=10829","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372/thumbnail_10681000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158089/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/City-announces-DORA-launch-ahead-of-Ironman-event-business-training-maps-and-signage-completed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158089-49e6fb9ccfa51908001de3c6c08bf001/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135551&Signature=KnlqqYzyk3FBqF0Q0cs5GDyn-gd8DDT-KRxJVMRApSvGpq3E3R2xi3bBDuuzwUd-qCTS5DPZZnApOeux5xnzbfNKY1-I~hORDYMDMOCeDl1Vjz7uusnP9xc8GIPMjMYNwjgKu0UpKtMKAulRr8o1XHA2g6EJSVOo9n7KTpF6SQmKLPv1ja~BIQwNVEF5V7Uf-5AKE4l86yzlZlVVZGCkPktIor9YDKC24Ws7fc3khmUtEl8ke~xo3k7-LMg9zb0ZtK939SEwXJ27p78dpVS3FL7ILTMlSMO4X14tgGMQTl2yJgkq-0XTtpqJ5kIjqy4fnLRxNV219XkKgHbp1vhDdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Muncie, IN","date","2025-07-08T00:00:00Z","article","City staff announced on July 7 that three designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs) are now in effect after the city completed the required mapping, business outreach and state-level approvals.

Amber Green, director of communications for the city, told the council that the ordinance authorizing DORAs (previously approved as ordinance 20-624) required administrative follow-through: the administration and a DORA committee worked with planning, public-safety and business owners to map boundaries, create signage and materials, and guide participating businesses through state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission applications.

Green said the implementation timeline was intentional to have the DORAs operational for the Ironman event that weekend. She told the council that roughly half of the affected businesses attended informational workshops, that maps and signage are available on the city website and at participating businesses, and that city staff assisted businesses with application paperwork.

Why it matters: DORAs allow people to carry certain alcoholic beverages in approved cups within a mapped area, subject to the rules the council adopted. The launch is intended to support economic and cultural activity during events while requiring enforcement and safety protocols.

Next steps: city staff will monitor operations and compliance and coordinate with public safety and participating businesses. Council members praised the administration for meeting the timeline and recommended continued coordination with business owners and enforcement personnel.

Details: Green said the DORA packet, maps and training materials are posted at muncie.in.gov/dora and that staff remain available for business questions and enforcement procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Muncie City Council Meeting July 7th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City communications staff said three designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs) went live July 7 after months of administrative work; the marketing and approvals process included business training, signage and state-level approvals tied to alcoholic beverage regulations.","taxTitle","Muncie City, Delaware County, Indiana","taxId",4306,"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},6158094,"Council forms committee to study replacement community center; membership expanded to include neighborhoods",237,8741000,8978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372&start=8741&end=8978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372/thumbnail_8741000.jpg","/articles/6158094/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/Council-forms-committee-to-study-replacement-community-center-membership-expanded-to-include-neighborhoods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158094-91abc60a4fe01e78f80a4234edeffe03/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135551&Signature=D96lA-Y3xTR452QGqxYxC3bxaBRWSp2Rpq3HA3hqI2x49~UkKtGD0UliGPeZhwMPp-0gVwt6r9vXVnMO4udLXi7AT6PTbzgzeOAg0gbZV293DzU~-8MoJoQPsPmIZ1xOS3ZDxTwLeBGf58Whq9989ivGr80FV2fcNzNzRg95wIFnkB0GWmLrgRigI6ZVT23dqd~R-yM6vd4yRRt-2AJB6uloigIfAhgcK2odROXLHiyd8heJY-Owlb7QoQoF2VKElu1m7sO6zZMv0L7YA63fi1RhtZ-ncsqpVtw0VKOH-2tI4XgrYdoXsftX9gKatMcu7AS0CnwNSwcWxHY~FUY5LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muncie Common Council adopted Resolution 15-25 on July 7 to create a committee that will study development of a new community center to replace the former South Madison Community Center. The committee’s purpose is to guide planning and stakeholder outreach for a community facility serving nearby neighborhoods.

Council members amended the resolution during the meeting to ensure neighborhood representation. Councilman Green moved, and the council approved, changes adding the Southside Neighborhood Association’s president (Courtney Marsh was named in the record) and including a representative from Morningside; the council also increased the committee membership count accordingly.

Why it matters: multiple council members and residents urged the creation of a permanent, city-supported community center to provide program space for youth and seniors and a stable meeting place for neighborhood associations. Supporters said neighborhoods without dedicated facilities, such as the South Side, need a locally accessible center for recreation, meetings and services.

Process and next steps: the resolution directs city staff to convene the committee with the amended membership and to report back to council. The council voted to adopt the resolution as amended at the meeting; staff and committee members will continue planning, including outreach to neighborhood associations and stakeholders, and will return proposals and next steps in future meetings.

Public comment: council members and residents expressed strong local support for a community center and encouraged the city to include multiple neighborhoods in the planning process. Several speakers emphasized the need for youth programming and a permanent gathering place.","The Common Council established a committee to study development of a replacement community center for the former South Madison facility and amended the resolution to add neighborhood representatives, including Southside and Morningside.",{"_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},6158098,"Council introduces zoning tweaks to spur urban housing; full code rewrite planned",3798,3165000,6963000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372&start=3165&end=6963","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372/thumbnail_3165000.jpg","/articles/6158098/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/Council-introduces-zoning-tweaks-to-spur-urban-housing-full-code-rewrite-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158098-b8ec66cca0da6fcc6002e6624ce37f8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135551&Signature=EyVXt94BeF0yb1pX-JdfbBZESB67v4Ic1sf8La6-NjUNuZ1FeT1py4FXFEso6WBzXYrr8naqWKkajEZ~VRJu~zOPcii7eHUBbEUX73Daa4CAPWzjqHZFWsqrDGriUPcNN9b1d6pUdzvnigvN3D2SllVzIoZYFchfm2DxRRLUaBsIFEXj3m-7ugMDICUz3mw34DykXpPijiKzvhfBebX00hD2jPeCQAWxGtcCgJHYCVurBNTndpaoYAiLw-4db-WCxKgc~4iQCLrOJrAvXMsltJbCi0yWNDQ2USbKvJA7ynEMiwK7c4MGbQ~c5HrNaLqL3Pwsh0ANVVE6ZnM1XzJQ-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muncie Common Council introduced Ordinance 24-25 on July 7, a package of zoning amendments aimed at increasing infill housing opportunities by adjusting lot width, lot area, setbacks, minimum floor area and accessory dwelling rules in R-1 through R-4 residential zones.

Kylene Swackhammer of the Planning Commission told the council the current ordinance dates from 1973 and the proposed amendments were written by a committee including the mayor’s office, Commissioner Brand and retired Ball State planning official Jim Lowe. Swackhammer said the changes were intended to align the code with current planning practice and to make it easier to build housing on the small, existing lots common in many Muncie neighborhoods.

Examples discussed at the hearing include reducing required lot widths and lot areas (for example, some references in the discussion compared older 12,000-square-foot requirements to proposed 4,000-square-foot lots) and clarifying accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules so ADUs would be allowed more readily in some zones without a special‑use variance. Swackhammer cited South Bend as an example of a municipality that reduced lot-size limits and reported more completed projects and fewer variance applications.

Why it matters: council and planning officials said the city already has water, sewer and other infrastructure in many neighborhoods (McKinley, South Central, Thomas Park, Avondale, Gilbert) and that easing dimensional standards could spur developers to build new housing using existing infrastructure. Commissioner Steven Brand added that increasing housing supply could help grow payroll and local income tax receipts—an important consideration as state-level changes to property tax allocations reduce local revenues.

Process and schedule: the Planning Commission recommended the amendments 9–0. City staff and council members discussed whether to suspend rules and adopt the ordinance at the same meeting; a motion to suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance tonight required unanimity and did not receive the necessary vote, so the ordinance remains introduced and will return for final action after the usual notice period. Mayor Dan Ridenour and Jim Lowe said the full comprehensive zoning rewrite will take about 10 months to complete, but they called the ordinance a necessary immediate step to permit near‑term housing opportunities.

Concerns: some council members asked for time to review the packet and to compare language to other cities; others urged moving quickly so developers do not go to other municipalities that have already modernized their codes. Council members also discussed how the changes would affect parking and neighborhood character; staff said each new unit would include private off‑street parking in the referenced triplex example.

Status: ordinance introduced; public hearings and subsequent votes will follow the standard introduction-to-adoption schedule.","Council introduced Ordinance 24-25 to alter lot size, setback and accessory-dwelling rules in multiple residential zones to encourage infill housing; the planning commission recommended the changes and staff said a full comprehensive code rewrite will take about 10 months.",{"_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},6158102,"Council hears proposal to update EMS fees, adds treat‑no‑transport and community paramedicine provisions",355,7241000,7596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372&start=7241&end=7596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372/thumbnail_7241000.jpg","/articles/6158102/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/Council-hears-proposal-to-update-EMS-fees-adds-treatnotransport-and-community-paramedicine-provisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158102-a7454bd4d15a4c18319cae20313529b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135551&Signature=KTYrz14p-Dlgn0srpUC4UxCTlM1ICbq75jLI3fsMBOz2iTbgP0tZVfOj4OJF6qFeYKiNeWTGj64-jd77GCj8SrWGhqX3t9NDAUWhHOMiqGDqgnPRGE0hlArsMOnEGB27voVDHTdz7WtS5uJEK7oLGWzRufx7NAI3-Cg8Bt~g~BD2bDE15JNP6778RCaO1Rxg8wSirQb2KR6rWGr3HjAxBFYSZ9xOTLcs8MuiyHJk3dUNWO~pQsDu301LWTnQ28BopzpPQKLTuGNwUj~TMNPo9h9OLO59ytCZITUM9dCBr9FHJ8PUVZRB1enV4jFyfgeyU9bO-kdfEpJuS3qGfwTISg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muncie Common Council on July 7 introduced Ordinance 25-25 to amend local emergency medical services (EMS) fees and collection practices in response to Indiana House Bill 1385, which changed billing rules for EMS providers statewide.

Dan Burkert, chief of the Muncie Fire Department, described the ordinance as aligning the city’s EMS billing with state changes and adding items the department cannot currently bill for, including a treat-no-transport fee and charges tied to mobile integrated health (community paramedicine) visits. Chief Burkert said the state law allows insurers to be billed at up to 400% of published Medicare rates and that the proposed schedule is a rounded representation of that 400% benchmark.

The proposal also reduces what self-pay patients would actually be charged: the ordinance includes a 60% reduced rate for uninsured patients compared with billed charges, and it creates a process by which patients can petition the fire chief for financial hardship relief. Chief Burkert said the department is exploring a mobile integrated health program to perform non‑transport visits, which could reduce demand on transport ambulances.

Why it matters: the state-level change in billing rules could increase EMS revenue from insured transports but also created the need to update local code so Muncie can capture allowed insurer reimbursements while offering financial relief to uninsured residents.

Key technical and procedural points raised in the hearing included a suggestion to tie fees directly to “400% of the published Medicare base rate” so future Medicare changes would automatically flow through to the city schedule instead of hard-coding dollar amounts. Chief Burkert welcomed follow-up questions and said the department would provide payer-mix and revenue estimates in the lead-up to a final vote.

Labor and community reaction: Jason Chaffin, president of Local 1348, supported the change as a reasonable way to increase collected revenue from insurers while reducing the amount billed to uninsured patients. Council members asked departmental staff to provide an estimate of projected revenue changes under the new schedule and discussed whether hardship appeals should be heard by “the chief or his designee”; Chief Burkert agreed the ordinance language could be adjusted to allow a designee.

Formal action: the council voted to introduce Ordinance 25-25; it will return for a final vote after staff provide follow-up financial projections and any technical edits.

Details not yet finalized: the ordinance as introduced includes specific dollar figures tied to the 400% concept; several council members recommended instead referencing 400% of published Medicare to avoid repeated ordinance updates as Medicare rates change. The department also committed to provide revenue projections and payer-mix data before final adoption.","Muncie introduced an ordinance to revise emergency medical services fees and billing to reflect state law changes, add a treat‑no‑transport charge and create a mobile integrated health option; introduction passed and further details will be refined before final adoption.",{"_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},6158107,"Council affirms 10-year tax abatement and PILOT payments for hotel on Ball State land",8043,49000,8092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372&start=49&end=8092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461533-e568c58338e5d906cbbdfb5e5e46d372/thumbnail_49000.jpg","/articles/6158107/Muncie-City/Delaware-County/Indiana/Council-affirms-10-year-tax-abatement-and-PILOT-payments-for-hotel-on-Ball-State-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158107-5774f3e98547527bbc7d67790215c629/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135551&Signature=aXfe-Aubr5C-G5pBN6HMHqrJTpKcTwYlYi4kSIUyAq4Pg-XVaH5TMfXixmNGOiZnOsvFjJQct2G92sd6y0k4NAYLuM9pbY~53Gqa1v9lclEVITkE1NQAkIcbj7-HLulSgcSg~szm8pj16w3wSqLiavE4vtJYKEWQzwff9IezYccXTOQAXfRT4wXCDtz3tah3ON2l~pSQ6Mdh250oXYI1BnafoNoi1Pb3UIevFkx1Af1mB3FqEsHqMfoYt6tATumhCkydrt2xT5WLaDxUnhr3Y4QlSlLKQoDQlR3Sr9l1LNe78W~WH-171Q~Ca~EEbAeURJFQqpdB8kWHP5vhpWDmXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muncie Common Council on July 7 confirmed a 10-year tax abatement and payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement for a hotel project on Ball State University land, approving Resolution 14-25 after a committee review and public comment.

The agreement allows Muncie Hotel Partners to make annual PILOT payments to the city instead of property tax while the hotel stabilizes. Matt Anger, an attorney with Ice Miller LLP representing Muncie Hotel Partners, said the pilot payment schedule is $50,000 per year in years 1–5 and $100,000 per year in years 6–10 and described the request as “more cleanup” to align the abatement with a previously authorized pilot agreement.

The council and tax abatement committee reviewed the project’s statement of benefits, which lists a capital investment of about $43,000,000 and projects 50 new employees with estimated annual compensation of about $1,250,000. At the council meeting Anger provided an updated staffing split: about 65% of the 50 projected positions are expected to be full-time and 35% part-time, and he said full-time employees “should be benefit eligible.”

Why it matters: the parcel was previously owned by Ball State and not on the tax rolls because Ball State is tax-exempt. The abatement converts an exempt parcel into a taxable development once the abatement period ends and the property is placed on the rolls, while providing the city near-term PILOT revenue and later property tax if the hotel endures.

Committee review and public comment: the tax abatement committee met in advance of the council hearing and gave a favorable recommendation to report to the full council. Committee members and public speakers pressed the developer on local hiring and workforce details. Anger said the developer had held a workshop inviting local and minority-owned businesses and that annual compliance filings will be submitted to the city and council during the 10-year abatement to show hiring, compensation and capital commitments. A member of Muncie Community Schools, Dr. Chuck Reynolds, was quoted in the record supporting the project.

Concerns and limitations: several council members and public commenters asked whether the developer will adopt a local hiring goal, whether work will go to local or union contractors, and what wages and benefits will be offered. Anger said the developer had not finalized wage or benefit specifics and that the project team would follow up on construction-phase hires and workforce makeup. A critic at public comment called for denying the abatement because he said the project began before required filings were completed.

Formal action: the tax abatement committee voted to recommend approval to the full council. At the council meeting a motion to adopt the confirming resolution was made and seconded; the record shows the council adopted Resolution 14-25, confirming the economic revitalization area designation and approving the PILOT arrangement.

Next steps: the developer must file annual compliance reports tied to the statement of benefits during the 10-year period. If the hotel stabilizes after the abatement, the property will revert to standard property taxation and the tax receipts will be distributed among taxing units as usual.

Details omitted or not yet decided: the developer had not finalized wage rates, specific benefit plan names, or a formal local-hire or union agreement at the time of the hearing. Council members requested follow-up information on construction-phase contractor makeup and an hourly wage breakdown before the council’s final consideration and implementation work continues.","The Muncie Common Council confirmed a 10-year tax abatement agreement for a hotel being built on Ball State University land, approving a payments-in-lieu-of-taxes schedule and directing annual compliance reports on jobs and investment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City announces DORA launch ahead of Ironman event; business training, maps and signage completed

Council forms committee to study replacement community center; membership expanded to include neighborhoods

Council introduces zoning tweaks to spur urban housing; full code rewrite planned

Council hears proposal to update EMS fees, adds treat‑no‑transport and community paramedicine provisions

Council affirms 10-year tax abatement and PILOT payments for hotel on Ball State land