For several years, the county has provided $50,000 annually in funding to Wabash Valley Riverscape, a nonprofit group dedicated to development along the Wabash River and improving the community’s quality of life.
But on June 27, Vigo County Commissioners wrote a letter to the group’s president, Charlie Williams, saying it would not approve a claim for this year’s $50,000 appropriation — which had been approved by the county council — and they “have no plans to submit a request for the next five years.”
The letter was in response to Williams’ June 22 letter requesting an annual appropriation of $50,000 from EDIT [Economic Development Income Tax] for the next five years.
The letter reads, “...Vigo County Commissioners very much appreciate all Riverscape has been able to accomplish with the appropriations that have been approved thus far. However, the commissioners are looking at the added expense of mowing the property Riverscape helped acquire [in Dresser] to prevent if from growing up as a forest.
“Additionally, the EDIT fund will be strained with the initial costs of land procurement on the new detention center [for construction of a new jail].”
Williams and other Riverscape representatives were outspoken in their opposition to the commissioner’s initial proposal to build a new jail on the former International Paper property, which borders the Wabash River. The county had acquired that property.
Riverscape envisioned recreational facilities, and potentially a hotel, on or near that 64-acre tract across the road from the Vigo County School Corp. Aquatic Center.
Reacting to the letter, obtained by the Tribune-Star Tuesday, Williams said it was “certainly disappointing, especially given the progress for the county Riverscape has made, but I’m confident the organization, its plan and work, will continue.”
He said the $50,000 in county funding was “the largest sources of funding” for the group. Now, “We’ll have to go out and find funds wherever we can,” he said.
Riverscape has “truly appreciated” the funds, he said. “And we have used it quite responsibly and productively.”
Asked if he thought the denial of funds for the next five years might be retaliation, he said. “We don’t know what to think. Certainly we’ve wondered if there was a relationship, but we hope not.”
Commissioner Jon Marvel said commissioners voted not to fund Riverscape this year “as we had several other projects,” in particular, the proposed construction of a new jail and a convention center that originally was supposed to be tied in with the renovation of Hulman Center.
“The county has been a big supporter of [Riverscape],” Marvel said, but with two major projects on the horizon costing millions, one a subject of litigation and the other a prospective economic development initiative, “We have to tighten our belt someplace.”
Other cuts were made in the budget as well, Marvel said. Postage is one area cut by about $50,000, he said.
The Vigo County Parks Department had requested $400,000 in EDIT funds for next year, but commissioners are recommending that be cut in half next year — to $200,000, said County Attorney Michael Wright.
This year, $500,000 remains in the budget for the proposed convention center project, Marvel said. Indiana State University was to have been a partner, but decided to withdraw from the convention center component and use its $37.5 million state appropriation strictly for renovation of Hulman Center, pending state agency approvals.
Marvel said the county and remaining partners “are still trying to put that project [convention center] together.”
When asked about the appearance of retaliation against Riverscape for its opposition to use of the former International Paper property for a jail, Marvel responded, “It’s not.”
County department heads and office holders have been told that with two major projects pending, “to be as frugal as possible” in developing 2018 budgets, Marvel said. “And, we thought we should lead by example.”
Wright said “Everybody has been asked to tighten budgets because of the fact the county is operating with a deficit budget for 2017.”
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