The Muncie Redevelopment Commission on June 26 approved an interlocal agreement with Delaware County that gives the commission the ability to take possession of tax-sale (tax deed) properties for redevelopment projects.

The agreement, which commissioners said establishes a mechanism for the commission to draw down properties that appear on the county tax-sale list, passed on a 3–0 vote with one abstention: Commissioner Dale abstained; Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Prabilla and Commissioner Wagley voted yes.

Commissioners and staff framed the agreement as a tool to assemble a targeted portfolio of parcels useful for tax-credit and housing projects. Redevelopment Director Jeff Howe told the commission, “What we really needed this year was about 25 properties, and we couldn't come up with them,” and said the commission wants a manageable portfolio — roughly 25–30 parcels — that it can actually deploy for projects.

Discussion focused on timing and scope. Commissioners repeatedly objected to receiving the interlocal agreement with little time to review; one commissioner said the packet arrived “less than a day ago” and reserved the right to abstain rather than vote without more time. Commissioners also asked about the agreement’s duration, which the draft sets at about 4.5 years.

Several commissioners raised the role of the Muncie Land Bank as an alternative or partner in acquiring and maintaining troubled properties. Howe and other commissioners said the interlocal deal is not meant to replace the land bank but to provide a parallel mechanism, particularly for tax-deed parcels that are advantageous for tax-credit scoring. A land-bank representative later told the commission the land bank would continue to pursue acquisitions and partnerships.

The vote followed a motion to approve the interlocal agreement and roll-call voting by commissioner name. Commissioners asked staff to track portfolio composition and to be more timely in distributing substantive documents before votes.

The commission did not adopt any new funding or immediately transfer parcels under the agreement at the June 26 meeting; the action authorizes the commission to exercise the mechanism established with the county when properties are available in coming months.