2012 ANNUAL REPORT

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

TOWN OF BROWNSBURG2

FROM THE TOWN MANAGER’S OFFICE

For the Town of Brownsburg, 2012 was a year of change and growth. We welcomed new members Rob Kendall and Don Spencer to Town Council and saw a transition in the Town administration when I became Town Manager and hired Assistant Town Manager Brian Hartsell. The Brownsburg Fire Territory welcomed Chief Bill Brown and the Brownsburg Police Department promoted Pat Bullock, Joe Grimes and Ben Pyatt to new leadership roles.

We made some big decisions this year. Town Council decided not to pursue consolidation with Brown and Lincoln townships in the best financial interest of current residents. We expanded the Tax Increment Financing district to include the Ronald Reagan Parkway and came to an agreement with the county on wastewater utility service to the Brownsburg East annexation area, which will help spur growth and economic development in that area.

Brownsburg has been fortunately resilient in this rough economic climate. More than 100 homes were constructed this year, adding $23.4 million in new value and 24 new commercial buildings and remodels valuing nearly $8 million. With the support of economic development incentives like lease assistance, low-interest loans and tax abatements, more than $25 million of real and personal property investments created or retained 450+ Brownsburg jobs with an average annual wage of $49,000.

We’re working hard to improve the Town’s image. We’ll continue investing in local road projects, wayfinding signage, landscaping, decorative street lights, and banners to put our best foot forward when welcoming visitors and potential new residents to our community. We are also putting a big emphasis on government transparency. There are many ways for you to stay informed. Join us at Town Hall for public meetings like Town Council or watch video of the proceedings online at www.brownsburg.org. Sign up for e-newsletters at our website, too.

Tune in to XRB Radio’s Plain Speaking show to hear council members and me talk about current events. For frequent news and information updates, follow @BrownsburgIN on Twitter and like Facebook.com/TownofBrownsburg. And for a real insider’s view of Town Hall, follow me @BrownsburgTM and Brian Hartsell @Brownsburg_ATM on Twitter. We sincerely hope that you will be a part of the dialogue!

Regards,Grant A. Kleinhenz, Town Manager

The Town of Brownsburg is working hard to attract economic

development, improve the community’s image, and increase

government transparency. We sincerely hope that you will take

an active role in the decisions impacting our future.

BROWNSBURG TOWN COUNCIL

Dwayne SawyerPresident

Term: 2012-15

Gary HoodVice PresidentTerm: 2011-14

Rob KendallMember

Term: 2012-15

Dave RichardsonMember

Term: 2011-14

Don SpencerMember

Term: 2012-15

“

”

2012 ANNUAL REPORT 3

TOWN BALANCES BUDGET, CUTS PROPERTY TAX RATEThe Town of Brownsburg finished 2012 under budget by 7.5 percent. Departments spent only 92.4 percent of what was budgeted, a savings of $1.4 million. Additionally, the Town’s revenue was approximately $1.1 million more than anticipated. The savings and additional revenue will help fund major capital improvement projects in 2013 and 2014.

The 2013 budget of $39.9 million includes a General Fund budget decrease of nearly 2 percent due to the administration and staff’s efforts to cut costs and increase efficiencies.

Other funds, such as EDIT and the utility funds, will see modest increases to help the Town complete projects including:

• improving Northfield Drive East and West;• completing the US 136 & Odell Street

intersection realignment;• more than $1 million in sidewalks and street

overlays;• design for Northfield Drive East from Beacon

Point to CR 300;• engineering and design for an 1-74 bridge at

County Road 700; and • wayfinding signs and streetlight banners.

The Town saw an increase in assessed value of $77 million, due in part to the Brownsburg East Annexation. The increase in AV, coupled with savings achieved by finalizing the Town Hall building lawsuit, resulted in a historic property tax rate decrease of more than 12 percent.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BENEFIT LOCAL RESIDENTSA number of capital projects were completed in 2012, perhaps most notably the Grant Street and Murphy Meadows utility improvements. The neighborhoods’ storm and sanitary sewers were separated and new water lines were installed. New pavement, sidewalks, and street lights were installed, improving both the appearance and water utility service in this core area of downtown.

INDOT completed the State Road 267 overlay and the Town repaved 56th Street, providing a smoother and quieter ride for Brownsburg motorists. Utility relocates for the U.S. 136/Odell Street realignment were completed. Safety at this heavily traveled corner will be greatly improved with the installation of a traffic signal and longer turn lanes in 2013.

The new 3.2 million gallons/day water plant in Arbuckle Acres will be online in early 2013, replacing a plant that is more than 40 years old. Customers will see less discoloration as the new plant removes more iron from their water than the current plant.

The Town of Brownsburg’s vision

is to foster a family environment,

promote new and existing business

development, create a stable

property tax structure and provide a

variety of educational, employment,

and recreational opportunities.

TOWN OF BROWNSBURG4

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SHAPES TOWN’S FUTUREWith the Town Council’s adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan, a path has been set for Brownsburg’s future growth and development. The Comprehensive Plan was developed during a year-long process of gathering public input and looking at existing market conditions. It will serve as the Town’s guide for decision making for the next 10 to 20 years.

The Comp Plan includes policies on: • land use and development;• movement of traffic and pedestrians;• recommendations on development of the Ronald

Reagan Parkway/I-74 interchange;• revitalization of Downtown, North Green Street,

and East Main Street;• recommendations on public facilities; and• preservation of environmental features and open

spaces.

The 188-page plan provides an Action Agenda for implementation and a detailed review of key focus areas. As demographics, market demand for particular land uses, and infrastructure change, the plan will be updated. The plan is available on the Town’s website, www.brownsburg.org.

TIF EXPANDED TO INCLUDE RONALD REAGAN PARKWAYThe Brownsburg Redevelopment Commission adopted a resolution to expand the Town’s Tax Increment Financing district to include 2,143 acres around the current and proposed Ronald Reagan Parkway.

The Town’s Comprehensive Plan identifies that the completion and development of Ronald Reagan Parkway may have the most significant impact on long-term commercial development in the community and the region. Much of that area is either undeveloped or underdeveloped due to a lack of adequate infrastructure.

The Town recognizes the need for extensive capital improvements in the Ronald Reagan Parkway area to spur economic development. The TIF district expansion will improve the potential for developers to view the property as developable and not simply as available and vacant land.

Capturing TIF dollars from future development as the primary source of funding allows the Town to complete key infrastructure projects without increasing property tax rates or raising levies.

136 new homes constructed 24 commercial building/remodel permits

Avg. home value: $172,000

Avg. square feet: 4,100

Total AV: $23.4M

5 new buildings

Total value: $4.39M

19 commercial remodels

Total value: $3.2M

2012 ANNUAL REPORT 5

CONSOLIDATION WITH TOWNSHIPS REJECTED After an independent review to analyze financial impact, budget issues, tax rates, and operational matters necessary to implement the Plan of Reorganization, Town Council voted against consolidating the unincorporated portions of Brown and Lincoln townships with the Town of Brownsburg.

For consolidation, Indiana statute would require elimination of the Brownsburg Fire Territory and the Fire Territory’s Equipment Replacement Fund, with an estimated negative net result of approximately $580,000 to the Town’s cash flow in 2014.

Town Council members agreed that the proposed negative financial impact to the Town’s budget would not be in the best interest of its current citizens. Should legislation change in the future, the Town and the townships could revisit the issue of consolidation.

ZONING ORDINANCE & SIGN PROVISIONS UPDATEDBrownsburg’s Advisory Plan Commission updated the Town’s zoning ordinance, map and sign provisions after a three year long process.

The Plan Commission took a comprehensive look at the zoning ordinance to ensure that it is consistent with Indiana statutes, constitutional issues, and recent court decisions. As a part of the review, the Town also wanted to identify circumstances that previously had not been adequately addressed in the ordinance. A series of public meetings, workshops with the business community, and one-on-one meetings with residents and business owners were held to receive citizen input and collaborate with local business leaders.

The updated ordinance balances business needs with overall image improvement efforts. It establishes new districts for churches, parks and mixed-use developments. The document is user-friendly for the public and a better tool for the Town’s planning staff to provide assistance.

481 jobs were created or retained

in 2012 with the help of incentives

like lease assistance, low-interest

loans and tax abatements. The Town

has Economic Development Income

Tax revenue of $1.8 million/year for

local economic development efforts.

CATEGORY JOBS INVESTMENT

Education 21 new $4M real estate

Manufacturing 49 new/309 retained

$17.3M real estate/personal property

Motorsports 9 new/3 retained

$160K personal property

Service 5 new/8 retained $500K real estate

Technology 47 new $3.2M real estate/personal property

TOWN OF BROWNSBURG6

FIRE TERRITORY SEES LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN ‘12The year 2012 proved to be both challenging and rewarding for the Brownsburg Fire Territory, as it went through a change in organizational leadership and focused on regaining financial stability without decreasing service to the community.

Fire Chief William Brown was sworn in during a ceremony in May. The chief and others examined the department’s spending and income to strengthen its financial future. Non-essential spending was cut significantly and non-tax sources of revenue were identified and increased.

An additional chief fire officer/paramedic was added, providing personnel management and advance life support response capabilities. In October, the department bought a new pumper to use when others are out of service or in times of a disaster.

The department’s risk-based educational inspection program helped Brownsburg realize its lowest dollar fire loss in more than 10 years, with no fire fatalities in 2012. Most fire injuries were from cooking fires.

BROWNSBURG POLICE FIT, READY FOR LORI SECURITYDuring the first quarter of 2012, Brownsburg Police Department also saw organizational change with Captain Pat Bullock appointed to the rank of Major and acting as Chief of Operations. Major Joe Grimes was reassigned to Chief of Support Services and Sergeant Ben Pyatt was appointed to Captain and assigned as the Uniform Division Commander.

One significant highlight of the year was the result of the sworn personnel biennial physicals. The department took a “no exceptions” stance on medical physicals for officers regardless of assignment. Not only did the Brownsburg Police Department make significant improvements over the 2010 results, but the BPD is now considered the “most fit public safety department” served by Hendricks Regional Occupational Health center — a credit to the members of the department who clearly understand and appreciate the role of physical fitness in the performance of their duties.

Preparation continued for Brownsburg Police Department to take a more active role in the safety and security of attendees during activities at Lucas Oil Raceway. Due to the Indiana mandate which requires public safety agencies to have an operational plan, BPD command staff devised a detailed plan with the Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana State Police, and the Brownsburg Fire Territory.

The BPD played an integral part in the incident command structure during the 2012 NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend. Staff also took this opportunity to learn more about security procedures during the large scale event and began networking with track officials in anticipation of the department’s full responsibilities beginning in 2013.

3,488 BFT emergency calls in 2012

70% medical calls, rescue, motor

vehicle accidents & public assistance

fire-related responses: 30%structural fires, odor of smoke, trash &

illegal burning, and false alarms

2012 ANNUAL REPORT 7

PARKS SERVICES EXPAND TO MEET COMMUNITY NEED

Brownsburg Parks strives to provide the highest quality parks, recreation facilities and programs possible to support the community and its quality of life.

Brownsburg Parks’ programming was expanded in 2012, with several new offerings along with popular existing programs. Brownsburg Parks’ day camps were expanded to meet the needs of longer breaks during the year-round school calendar and new adult sports programs were offered.

More than 10,000 people participated in parks programs and community events, resulting in a revenue increase of more than 31 percent.

Most of the remaining deferred maintenance and equipment replacement identified in 2008 were completed this year. Less than 20 percent of the cost to complete those projects were paid for with property tax dollars, and using Brownsburg Parks staff saved more than $135,000 in labor expenses.

Arbuckle Acres and Williams Park both saw improvements including:• repairing, repaving and painting the basketball

courts; • installing ADA accessible water fountains with

canine watering bowls;• replacing fences; and • removing and replacing play features not up to

safety standards.

TOWN-SPONSORED EVENTS GET RESIDENTS INVOLVEDThe Town of Brownsburg hosted more programs and events for community members to enjoy in 2012. Brownsburg Parks’ Summer Concert Series and Movies on the Lawn saw crowds in the hundreds at Town Hall.

Brownsburg was again named a top 10 finalist in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s “Back Home Again in Indiana” contest. A community celebration in April honored local racers with a special exhibit of Indy 500 memorabilia, a balloon release, race cars on display, a fun pit stop competition, and live entertainment.

The Chamber of Commerce continued its summer Farmers Market, and local residents and organizations competed in the Town’s annual Build-a-Bale contest and new Christmas Tree Decorating contest.

The Town continued to provide free recycling opportunities, collecting more than 10.5 tons of computers, office equipment, appliances, electronics and other recyclables at its September drop-off.

For the first time, the Town opened its annual health fair to the public. A number of local vendors provided information on health resources in the community and flu, T-DAP, and pneumonia shots were offered at the two-day Community Health and Wellness Fair in September.

Crowds of families lined downtown Brownsburg streets to enjoy the Christmas Under the Stars parade and tree lighting ceremony in early December. A record number of floats participated in the much-anticipated event.

Follow us for Brownsburg Parks

news and info!

TOWN OF BROWNSBURG

www.brownsburg.orgConnect with us! Town of Brownsburg @BrownsburgIN

TOWN OF BROWNSBURG BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

Advisory Plan Commission:Don Spencer, Jack Swalley, Sumit Ghosh, James Hill, Glenn Nulty, Brett Scowden, Eric Cottongim

Board of Zoning Appeals:Tom Lacey, Brett Scowden, Eric Willman, Al Wolting, Eric Spoonamore

Redevelopment Authority:Lejo Harmeson, Kimberly Maxwell, Bill Guarnery

Economic Development Commission:Allan Bolante, Joe Dunbar, Lamoura Munse

TOWN ADMINISTRATION & DEPARTMENT HEADSGrant A. Kleinhenz, Town Manager @BrownsburgTMJeanette Brickler, Clerk-TreasurerTodd Barker, Planning DirectorMike Good, Water SuperintendentPhil Parnin, Parks DirectorVanessa Izokaitis, Human Resource ManagerAnnisa Rainey, Communications Manager/Grant Writer

Redevelopment Commission:Rob Kendall, Shane Dunigan, Sean Benham, Gary Hood, Brad Stutler

Park Board:Michael Klitzing, Joseph Almon, Scott Lattimer, Phil Utterback

Police Commission:Allan Bolante, Stan Comer, Ray Kotarski, Terry Smith, Don Spencer

Brian Hartsell, Assistant Town Manager @Brownsburg_ATMJim Waggoner, Street SuperintendentJack Swalley, Building CommissionerKathy Dillon, Wastewater SuperintendentChris Keers, Fleet Maintenance SuperintendentDebbie Bernhardt, Utility Office ManagerSteve Chambers, Purchasing Manager

61 N. GREEN STREET, BROWNSBURG, IN 46112TOWN HALL: (317)852-1120 PARKS: (317)858-4172