Commissioner items from recent meeting

Earlier this month, the Marshall County Commissioners discussed several topics listed under the Commissioner Items section of the agenda.  

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon said he’s been watching YouTube videos about TIF Districts and Property Tax Reform. He told the commissioners his Citizens Advisory Group has also been discussing TIF reform. He invited Michael Hicks, the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University, to visit Marshall County for a conversation with the county’s stakeholders about best practices and new trends in economic development, as well as what he believes would be truly effective for a rural county.

Bohannon suggested a joint work session with the council and county stakeholders involved in economic development.   

Bohannon also requested the invitation of Jason Arp, a former member of the Fort Wayne City Council. He said he’s one of the most outspoken public officials in the state on TIF and economic development. A joint work session will be scheduled later in the fall.

Commissioner Adam Faulstich informed the other commissioners about an issue he has experienced, as well as others have, with internet outages related to Brightspeed Services. He said there have been several incidents since the beginning of the year. He said people are getting the runaround when trying to find out when the internet service will be restored.

Faulstich said, “Brightspeed hasn’t been very proactive with any type of solutions with individuals, but ironically enough, they will still take people's money.”

Faulstich asked if there was anything the county could do for the general public.

He said, “I do know we approve road cuts for fiber optic lines for Brightspeed, and I don’t understand how they can be running new fiber lines when they can’t support their current existing customers.”

He suggested they are using Marshall County to grab money on the federal side to run fiber without actually serving the people in the county.

Faulstich also suggested reviewing the services Marshall County offers with Brightspeed and considering a reevaluation. He didn’t know if any official action needed to be taken but wanted to put the information out to the public. The commissioner said he didn’t know if he would be in favor of any more road cuts for them until this issue is addressed.   

Commissioner Stan Klotz said they need to make an appointment to the Marshall County Tourism board. He said Wyatt Stephan, the President, resigned his position on the Tourism Commission effective Aug. 5.

The board is made up of five members, and a simple majority of them must be engaged in the convention, visitors, or tourism business or involved in promoting conventions, visitors, and tourism.    

The current board members are Tracy Houin from the Blueberry Festival, Jill Houin from the Breakroom Pub & Grill in Argos, Matt Hovermale, who was with the Swan Lake Resort and is now with the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Brian Teall, formerly with The REES, Jim Hartung from The REES, and Mark Damore Jr., owner of the Lakehouse Grille in Culver.

Bohannon said he has a Culver person who is interested in the position, but wanted additional information before putting her name in. 

The commissioners are expected to make the appointment at their meeting on Tuesday.