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.