SWCS board, county officials discuss possible future of economic development payments
By HOLLY GASKILL
Community members flooded the media center of Southern Wells Junior-Senior High Tuesday night to stake their claim on possible economic development payments coming into the county with the Paddlefish Solar development.
The item had been touched on during the last school district board meeting, particularly regarding a large group’s desire to build a new auxiliary gym. During the conversation, board members called community members to bring their requests to the Wells County Council.
Subsequently, Council President Seth Whicker asked SWCS Board President Todd Fiechter to discuss the matter at the upcoming board meeting. Also present were council members Vicki Andrews and Brian Lambert, Commissioner President Mike Vanover, Executive Director of Wells County Economic Development Chad Kline, and Trena Roudebush and Mary Solada, who represented Paddlefish Solar.
The foremost item Kline and Whicker addressed was the timing of the economic development payments. In exchange for a 10-year total tax abatement, Paddlefish Solar will pay the county at least $8.5 million. However, this total will be delivered in portions as the project begins its operation. Roudebush said the group is currently aiming to begin southern Wells County construction in 2026.
The project itself has also not yet been approved, Kline emphasized. The economic development agreement has been made, but the company still has to get project plans approved by the Area Plan Commission and multiple other entities before it can consider breaking ground.
In short, the county is a long way from seeing $8.5 million.
“If that project moves forward — and that’s an important thing to understand,” Kline reiterated.
That considered, Fiechter asked the officials present to consider pledging a certain percentage of the payments for the district’s use. Fiechter stated the district currently receives roughly 60 percent of taxes and, considering the payments circumvent tax distribution, he believes the district should receive the same portion it would have without the tax abatement.
While recognizing the validity of the request, Kline and Whicker disputed several assumptions made in the statement. Whicker first advised that it was unlikely the company would’ve chosen to come to Wells County without the tax abatement.
Kline said the payments still bring in roughly 80 percent of the taxes that would have been collected and noted that the rate was very competitive within Indiana. He also emphasized that it would still be a net increase for the district, as the land itself will be taxed at 10 times its current agricultural usage. “It’s not money lost,” Kline said. The company has also pledged to invest at least $250 million in the project.
Whicker added that there are also considerations for the southern part of the county outside the school district itself. He cited the county’s EMS, which loses $1.2 million annually, $400,000 of which he said occurs in southern Wells.
“I think it would be a little bit irresponsible to start talking about how you’re going to spend that money before you receive it — is that not finance 101?” Kline said.
“I’m not going to (commit to) that without a plan,” Vanover added. “I have no way to know what the landscape will be like and that would be completely irresponsible.”
Whicker also stressed that by the time these payments begin, the county and its officials could look quite different.
“I have no problem saying that a lot of that money needs to benefit this southern part of the county,” Whicker said. “What does it look like? (That’s) a whole other discussion, because we don’t fully know what the needs are going to be in this part of the county.”
Regarding the desire to build an auxiliary gym, Andrews advised the district may need to consider bonding the project. Vanover added that he would be willing to assist with future projects, but they would need to develop plans first.
All officials present expressed a desire to give the school district a share of the potential funds.
Lambert, in particular, endorsed 100 percent of the payments benefitting the southern part of the county. “That would be my goal, sitting in the seat that you guys helped me get elected into. That’s my position, and that’s where I stand,” he said.
Superintendent Trent Lehman recalled his appearance at the tax abatement hearing over a year ago, when he had just started with the district. “I just asked that, when the time comes, (Southern Wells) have a seat at the table,” Lehman said.
“If I’m still there, and I think I can speak for the others, but you will have a seat at the table,” Whicker affirmed. “We will make sure of that.” Whicker also asked the school board and community members to remain active in conversations.
Fiechter gave his thanks for the conversation and the discussion concluded with applause.
In closing, Lehman noted that the board would meet next at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.
During the meeting, the board also:
• Approved a virtual day on March 7 for grades 7-10 and 12 while juniors take the SAT at the school.
• Recognized Kaleb Shepard as the recipient of an HVAC scholarship and Southern Wells Teacher of the Year David Butler.
• Approved facility use requests from Post Prom Parents to use the Raider Dome May 3-5 and Paddlefish Solar to hold a public information meeting in the elementary cafeteria from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 24.
• Accepted donations from Calvary Lutheran Church for the elementary lunch fund; Heath Bros Ag, Coons Show Lambs, Pennville Lodge of Freemasons 212, BinegarFarms and Leas Electric for archery; Psi Iota Xi for the school libraries; Buckets for Santa for families in need; Clean Fuels National and an anonymous donor for overdue lunch accounts; and Six Mile Church Missions for past due lunch accounts in the junior-senior high school.
• Received resignations from elementary instructional assistant Cathy Leucke, Tonia Harris as second shift custodian and Taylor Roush as eighth grade volleyball coach.
• Approved the employment recommendation of Annette Thompson as FFA assistant adviser. An agreement for Chris Hartman and Abby Ramsey to receive stipends for a technology integration position was also approved.
• Approved fundraiser requests for mini cheer camp Feb. 20-24 and softball calendars Dec. 20-Jan. 13.
• Approved a field trip request for juniors and seniors to travel to New York City Oct. 16-19, 2024.
holly@news-banner.com
