Monday, April 20, 2015

Construction Industry Bankrolls $95 Million Brownsburg School District Bond Referendum Campaign

A political action committee, Friends of Brownsburg Community Schools, was formed to advocate for the passage of a $95 million bond issue supported by higher property taxes for the Brownsburg Community School Corporation at next month's May primary election to renovate the school system's high school and build a new elementary school. Many Brownsburg taxpayers are irked that school officials chose to place the referendum on the ballot in a primary election for a municipal election at which few voters generally participate. Approval of the referendum will allow the school district to increase property taxes by an amount equal to $0.4117 per $100 of assessed valuation.

A look at a campaign finance report filed by by the PAC's treasurer, Brownsburg attorney Joe Dunbar, reveals that the campaign to sell Brownsburg voters on the referendum is being bankrolled by the construction industry that stands to gain financially if the construction work is undertaken. Given the size of some of the contributions, one has to wonder if the winnings bids for this major construction undertaking by the school district isn't already signed, sealed and delivered. Major contributors include:
  • McComas Engineering-$2,500
  • RJE Interiors--$2,500
  • Performance Services, Inc.--$5,000
  • Finks Roberts & Petrie, Inc.--$2,500
  • The Skillman Corporation--$5,000
  • Purcell Noppe Associates, Inc.--$2,500
  • Shiel-Sexton Company, Inc.--$5,000
Only two Brownburg residents contributed to the PAC, which reported raising a little over $30,000. There was a $5,000 contribution from Susan Boots, a self-described songstress, and Suzanne Gehman, who contributed $200. Interestingly, the referendum issue would permit the school district to either issue bonds for the construction of school buildings or enter into a much more costly lease, buy-back type of arrangement. It's incredible that voters are being asked to sign a blank check to incur up to $95 million in debt in this manner without any concrete proposal before the voters to approve, but I guess it's not as bad as the $1.75 billion, 35-year P3 agreement the Ballard administration is asking members of the Indianapolis City-County Council to enter into for the purpose of building a new criminal justice center, which bypasses the referendum process altogether, knowing that there aren't sufficient revenues to pay the annual service payments, which will ultimately force a tax increase after the buildings are already built and in use. 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The 95 Million is for the children!

I wonder how many folks will get rich off of this deal, including school bus manufacturing, sports equipment dealers,Computers, maybe a big clock like the 50K clock like Avon High has! You know all the necessary items are purchased.It will be a spending frenzy in Brownsburg, so your children can learn the 3R's.

Anonymous said...

That is a massive property tax increase. That will be over $800 per year on a $200,000 house. Hopefully folks in Brownsburg know their school district's actual needs to decide if this is worth it.
All of the supporters you mention are in the business of design, construction or materials supply. This very much suggests the delivery team has already been selected, which suggests the cart is a ways ahead of the horse on this.

Anonymous said...

$800 a year on a $200k house? Really? Show your work. It doesn't even approach that.

Anonymous said...

What exactly do you think these donations are buying? It is a PUBLIC referendum.

Anonymous said...

.4117 per $100

200000/100 x .4117 = 823.40

I guess this referendum would have been helpful when you were in school...

Anonymous said...

That's a staggering amount of new debt for a school district of that size to be taking on, particularly in proportion to the size of the school district's annual budget.

Anonymous said...

Except that even per the erroneous DLGF finance website - $200,000 AV - $45,000 HOMESTEAD DEDUCTION - $54,250 SUPPLEMENTAL HOMESTEAD DEDUCTION - $3,000 MORTGAGE DEDUCTION = $97,750 TAXABLE AV x .4117 / 100 = $402. Nice try.

Anonymous said...

Once again trying to twist the numbers to show some astronomical tax increase when it just isn't there. The referendum is voted on by the public so contributing to the campaign fund does not guarantee the company being selected but what it does is put them in a position to benefit from the additions of new businesses and housing. Schools sell the town and your homes. If this is defeated youwill be the same people complaining about tour house being undervalued.