Commissioners move $905,000 to Monroe County Nature Preserve from food-and-beverage plan
Summary
The board approved a revised written plan under Indiana Code 6-9-41-14 to allocate $905,000 in food-and-beverage tax funds to prepare the Monroe County Nature Preserve for visitors. The move followed county council changes to the GO bond project list.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a revised written plan to use food‑and‑beverage tax proceeds for a $905,000 Monroe County Nature Preserve project.
Staff explained the action is a state‑required filing under Indiana Code 6‑9‑41‑14 and reflects prior advisory commission conversation about applying tourism-related funds to make the preserve accessible to residents and visitors. Commissioners said the preserve meets statutory eligibility as a tourist attraction and that the county council—s decision to reduce the GO bond request required moving the preserve project to food‑and‑beverage funding.
After a brief question period and no public comment, the board voted 3‑0 to approve the revised written plan. The item will be presented to the food-and‑beverage tax advisory commission the day after the meeting.
Why it matters: Food‑and‑beverage tax proceeds are restricted to tourism‑related projects under state law; moving this preserve project to that funding stream allows the county to proceed without using GO bond dollars.
What's next: Staff will file the required state paperwork and present the plan to the food‑and‑beverage advisory commission.
