Rural Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission Meeting – September 2, 2026
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Rural Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission Meeting – September 2, 2026
The Rural Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission met on September 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. with all five members present. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, a contract amendment for Petersburg Road, and the primary agenda items: a public hearing and two resolutions related to the University Parkway Economic Development Area amendments for the Old Farm development. The commission also heard public comment from a property owner.
Approval of July 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes
- The minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
Contract Amendment for Petersburg Road Design and Construction
- The Board approved Resolution 05-26-013 authorizing the use of tax increment funds for a contract amendment expanding the scope of the Petersburg Road project. Additional federal grants will offset the increased costs, and the county’s share will rise accordingly. The road serves a school, sports complexes, and subdivisions. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing: University Parkway Economic Development Area Amendments
- A public hearing was held for the adoption of the declaratory resolution to amend the University Parkway Economic Development Area, creating new allocation areas coterminous with the 110-acre Old Farm development. No members of the public spoke, and the record shows no remonstrators.
Confirmatory Resolution (2026-VCRC-04)
- The commission unanimously approved Resolution 2026-VCRC-04, confirming the amendment to the declaratory resolution and economic development plan for the University Parkway Economic Development Area. The Plan Commission had previously approved the amendment on August 6, 2026, and the Board of Commissioners on August 10, 2026.
Bond Pledge Resolution (2026-VCRC-05)
- Resolution 2026-VCRC-05, pledging certain tax increment revenues to repay economic development revenue bonds, was discussed at length. Key points included:
- Financial advisor Bob Reynolds (LWG CPAs and Advisors) explained the tax impact is “immaterial to none” due to the “but for” analysis (development would not occur without TIF), the parcels already being in a TIF, and Indiana’s levy controls.
- Commissioner Scales expressed initial concerns about the novel process of having the developer purchase the bonds, but after discussion, accepted that it shifts risk to the developer and avoids county credit risk.
- Brad Bingham (bond counsel) and others noted the project leverages a $4.8–$5 million state grant from the Southwest Indiana RDA, requires a local match, and will generate tax base after decades of county investment in infrastructure.
- The resolution was approved unanimously.
Public Comment
- Dustin Beadle (155 Rosner Road) stated he was promised that the Old Farm development would not use Rosner Road for traffic or widen it beyond the development. He expressed concerns about construction traffic already occurring and potential property value loss. Developers Ryan and Chip Austin responded that the widening is only within the 110-acre site and will meet county standards, all development traffic is designed to use University Parkway, and they will work to minimize disruption. Commissioner Nix facilitated an agreement for the developers to meet with Mr. Beadle to address his concerns.
Key Outcomes
- All three resolutions (Petersburg Road contract amendment, confirmatory resolution, and bond pledge resolution) passed unanimously.
- Developers agreed to meet with Dustin Beadle to discuss traffic and road widening concerns.
- No new or old business was presented.
- The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Like to call all our water call of rural Vandenberg County Redevelopment Commission September 2nd, 2026 at 1 p.m. First, there will do Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the Black, the United States of America, to the Republic for which it stands. Underground indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Rachel, will you call the roll? I'm sorry. Let the rec let the record reflect that we have a quorum. In fact, all five members present. And the fact that we uh together uh as a team notified people is just resounding. Uh given last month's foe on our part. So uh here here. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Uh next item is approval of the July 15, 2023 or 2026 meeting memorandum. Uh everyone had a chance for view? Yes. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. All in favor? I approved. Thank you. Uh next item, item five, the approval of the Board of Commissioners resolution number 05-26-013. Approving the use of tax increment funds for from Burkhart Road Economic Development Area for the con uh for the contract amendment for Petersburg Road Design and Construction. Who's got this? Uh this is me, Commissioners. Um is a previous project that was approved by this board. Uh we got uh the county engineer uh was able to secure extra funding for that, which allowed us to expand the scope of that project. Um what uh allowing or what that allowed us to do, expand the scope, obviously increases the cost, but it also increases the cost share that um that the grants will cover. So this allows them uh this allows structure point to uh increase the design of uh uh of that road, expand the project that's already been approved. Uh and since it was approved previously, um uh structure point, the commissioners and this body, uh the commissioners have approved it, but um we need this body to approve it as well so that uh we can use TIFF funds to pay the increased uh design cost and uh increased construction costs associated with that enlarged project. But again, there's more federal money coming in uh to offset that. It's just our our share will be increased as well. Okay. County engineer. Okay. Any questions from any questions at all? I'll entertain a motion to to approve this uh I do want to say this just for the record. You know, this road's been needing improvements forever. It's a highly traveled. So it's if we don't have any comments, it's not because we're not aware. I mean, it it's a a much needed improvement. You got a school, you got sports complexes, subdivisions, to mean our terrible way from 57 to Boombo and Harmony. So it's a good it's a good deal. Good points. Thank you, Commissioner. Yep.
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