Speaker 1
Hello and welcome to ask the mayor on WFIU I'm Joe Hren with WFIU and WTIU news. We're really happy to be back in Nashville. For those who follow the show we were here. Oh, a few few years ago, we were here every month, then an election came, some things changed. And we're hoping we can get back if not every month, maybe every other month or, or something like that down the road. And we're with town manager Sandie Jones has agreed to do this with us. Thank you so much. Welcome to the show. So nice to have you.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you for asking. Great to be here.
Speaker 1
Well, I know that. Obviously, this is a tourist town. And there's a lot coming up with the Eclipse. And I bet you guys are full like everyone else. We've talked to full mode on planning.
Speaker 2
Oh my gosh, I don't know. I should have kept track on how many Eclipse meetings that I've attended. From our emergency management, from our police, the fire the businesses, the residents. There's just so many angles to look at. And we're pretty much expecting, like a great fall weekend doubled for that weekend. The hotels that Airbnb is they're all booked the state parks all booked. So we're excited to show off our town. But it's a lot all at once.
Speaker 1
How about emergency services? I seem Columbus and Bloomington are really trying to focus in on that.
Speaker 2
Oh, yeah, we've been talking and they've got a game plan going on and trying to figure out, this is a pretty big County and how you're going to get people from point A to point B if needed an emergency. So those folks are working on it and they have a plan. Well, there's
Speaker 1
so many things to think about people don't you know, public restrooms you have we just talked about emergency services, you know, water, utilities, things like that. Is there anything that you're concerned about as the town is concerned about?
Speaker 2
I think we're okay with the water and in the sewer. I mean, as long as the electricity continues, I think we'll be alright. The town did purchase or rented some extra porta potties for for that week long event. Trash is going to be another big issue. So we've got extra trash facilities coming in. So some of it, you're going to be as prepared as you can be. And then you'll be like, Oh, I did forget that one tiny bit, and we'll find out what that is.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, this is what comes every 100 years or something. Right. This
Unknown Speaker
is my one and only, so I'm okay.
Speaker 1
Well, you touched upon a couple things. i The main thing I really the show, at least wanted to get to was water and sewer. And I know there are a lot of improvements that need to be done in this small town that brings in 1000s of people a year for tourism. Not everyone I assume is on town septic. I mean, I think that's a good town sewer. Correct sewer, right, just due to the terrain. But how are the personal septic fields inspected or overseen here? Well,
Speaker 2
the septic fields is really a county issue. Okay, the town is has its own wastewater treatment plant. And the exciting news is, we have been given the most generous gift from SRF for our wastewater, sewer rehab and improvements project plan. So the engineers This is we've been working on this for at least two, three years now trying to get funding for this big project. The engineers originally estimated it at 14 million, well then COVID hit and everything went crazy. And then it went up to 19 million SRF. Will you please give us some money? Sure. What SRF State Revolving phone funds, okay, okay, right. And so, they were like, okay, hey, we'll give you this and I'm like, Oh, that's wonderful. Now can we have a little bit more because that's still making my ratepayers pay a lot of money. And they're like, Okay, let's look at a couple other things. And they did that. Then they I said, Okay, just one more time, please. Is there anything left in that coffer? And they said, Yes. So we were looking at, at a pretty good significant 35% increase for our sewer customers, which is only like 777 of us. That was reduced thanks to the SRF down to 24.6% increase. It's still an increase, but it's not as much but what that will allow for is that our treatment plans upgrades, we won't be treating the wastewater, or I'm sorry, the stormwater that goes in with all the rains and stuff. We'll be fixing some things. So we will only be treating the waste the true wastewater, which will allow us to take on more. So if we have some, some big apartment complex that wants to come in a big convention center, we will have that capacity. And so that's, I know, it's weird, but that's pretty exciting. No,
Speaker 1
that's, that's huge. Yeah. And how about in terms of people being able to tap into that as well? Right.
Speaker 2
So So once that program, you know, once that all gets fixed, and like I said, an apartment complex comes in? We can we can take care of that. That's not a problem.
Speaker 1
And how about current residents? They'll stay the same, they'll stay the same, right? Okay. There's no requirement for them to have to tap
Speaker 2
into nope, nope, nope. It's we're just fixing the current infrastructure.
Speaker 1
Okay, and this is for wastewater, we're different from stormwater? Correct. That's yet another water, right. And I remember talking to DAX Norton A while back, and I think this town got was a $6 million project, just to control stormwater and get it up to speed because a lot of that clean water was going into the Correct,
Speaker 2
correct. So we're gonna make that clean water, not going to the sewer, but it still doesn't fix our stormwater. So one project at a time, we do have our hands out to SRF for our drinking water project, which like most all communities in the United States, the infrastructure has just been there for so long, and we've not made inroads to fixing that on a large scale. So we'll see how that plays out. But speaking of water we did. We did partner with the state park, they are no longer treating their own water, or, or their wastewater. And so SRF said, Hey, would you mind partnering with the parks, so we did a project with them to hook them on to our water. So that's, that's great for the State Park, they they don't have a problem now. And then, with the sewer project, they will be a new lift station installed so that we can take the other half of the park sewer, we take half of it now we'll take the other half.
Speaker 1
And that's huge. I'd get you another big customer correct to help. That is kind of a circle. Right? You get more money, you can do more infrastructure. Right? That Yeah. And that was huge. I know. We talked about that, again, a lot of this a couple years ago. It's kind of fun now two years ago to come back and see that this is actually how it's actually happening. Yes. Now where is that right now? For the sewer, the the water and sewer for the State Park. Water is hooked up. It's hooked out. We
Speaker 2
already did that one. Okay. And then the sewer. Like I said, Tomorrow, I go to pre close with SRF. Give us another month, close it, and then we can start all those projects.
Speaker 1
So we'll all this encourage the growth that you want in this town.
Speaker 2
Yeah. But but growth sometimes is a particular word here, because we really cherish the quiet the outdoors, the lack of hustle and bustle so to speak. But if we don't have growth, it's the same 100 people paying for everything. And so we're we're talking about how do we want to grow? In talking with our residents talking with our business owners, so we're starting the process of that, too. We got a lot of irons in the fire right now.
Speaker 1
Yeah. And then there's also just health. I mean, some of the sewage is leaking as well, right into the ground and in some places,
Speaker 2
and again, that's more of a septic issue that's out in the county that I don't deal with. Okay, right.
Speaker 1
This might be the same, but I'll just ask you anyway, I know House Bill 1352 deals with the inspection of residential on site sewage systems. That's in the house right now in the state legislature. Had you had a chance to look at that does that how does that affect Nashville residents?
Unknown Speaker
That's more of a county.
Speaker 1
I get that. Okay, right. Yeah, yeah. Well, you you went through a lot of these because we talked about the DNR, a Brown County State Park, huge customer. There wasn't a 11% water rate hike a couple years ago, too. So how is the funding balancing out for a lot of this?
Speaker 2
The 11% rate hike was due to we now have a utility service board. So it's a five member board that really truly digs into the budget. Are we are we taking care of the toys that we have the tools that we have? Are we are we keeping them updated? And so when they dove down really hard in that budget, they saw where there was some shortfalls, and how to make things better moving forward. And that's where that 11% came from.
Speaker 1
Town Council meeting updates, what's on the agenda? Anything? slips? Right. Right. Is there anything else pressing right now?
Unknown Speaker
Pressing Dolly,
Speaker 1
any more infrastructure? Towel paving sidewalks?
Speaker 2
We're constantly talking about sidewalks. I've been knocking on that door for a year now. Met with okra today, talking with our grant administrators. Yes. And I've talked to a couple different groups. So I'm circling wagons trying to get enough funding for our sidewalks. We already have a sidewalk master plan. So that helps. So the sidewalk and the entryway into town is something that that we're all looking at. Things don't go as quickly as I'd like them to go. So
Speaker 1
if I had a dime for every time I hear this, every mayor and everything. I mean, some of these projects years in the making. You have to get governmental agencies on board. Right, true. Right. Yeah. EPA or the Army Corps of Engineer.
Speaker 2
Right? Yes. Yeah. Now, a lot of that.
Speaker 1
Is there anything else on the state level that you're looking at, that you're hoping can help the town of Nashville? Well,
Speaker 2
I know one of the one of the things that that has been introduced is a bill to help get some funding for public safety people because of the state park. So the State Park is wonderful as it is we do not get those tax funds. And so our Sheriff's Department, from the county, the town police, the EMS, we're all paying for that. And we're looking to the state legislator to help us out and say, hey, we'll give you $1 a car or whatever it is, to help subsidize that.
Speaker 1
I was saw to I think this was a county commissioner meeting though, which I know is, you know, separate from the town. But talking about how the effects of the Brown County Music Center now is having on this area obviously brings in tourism. It also needs water and infrastructure was as well. Right. In keepers tax. I mean, there's a lot of give and take there isn't there. Right. But how much is Nashville involved in that
Unknown Speaker
the town? In the music center?
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, the Brown County Music Center.
Speaker 2
Restaurants get packed. Yeah. Some of the stores get packed. I know that Airbnb is and the hotels are just, yeah, yeah. And last night, it was sold out. It was Toto. So for all the baby boomers. Yeah, it was the vibe that just comes off of that. And then we got the brand Kenny Playhouse too, right downtown and downtown. And you know, they've got a group that's just knocking it out of the park as far as different shows and such they had to why store that's from Indiana. They've got a group coming in this weekend that does Elton John, one night, Billy Joel, the other night. You close your eyes, and it's real. So yeah, there's a lot of good, good energy with music around here. Right now.
Speaker 1
There was a little bit of discussion whether or not the county should sell it. Do you have any opinion on that? The Brown County Music Center.
Speaker 2
Do you have an opinion that I'm going to share? No. Yeah.
Speaker 1
Well, I mean, but that's been a point of contention, right to hear right locally. I know where it's a it's funded or by a government agency and something that that shouldn't be taxpayer money
Speaker 2
but they're taking care of themselves now. It was a black swan event with with the whole COVID thing. Prior to that, they were like they were filling the seats, right. COVID hits, everything turns on its head. They're back to filling seats, obviously if they have a sold out show last night, and they just gave the brand county Music Center gave a whole bunch of money to our Brown County Community Foundation as well as the county according to the agreement, so They are going beyond what they really thought they were even going to be able to do even with COVID. So it's pretty exciting.
Speaker 1
Yeah. And we did do a story on that. The money coming back to the foundation, right? Any trickle down? They're
Unknown Speaker
working on it. Yes.
Speaker 1
I can imagine. Yeah. Yeah. Because they're using water. They're using
Speaker 2
it. Right. They're using the sidewalks. Yeah. Right. So, yeah, we're, we're all just having to work together. I think Brown County back in the day used to be like, This is our thing. This is our thing. And this is our thing. And I think, I think now there's a sense of, hey, we're all in this together. Let's work together. And so that's exciting that that's steps forward. Thank
Speaker 1
you so much for doing this. I always like to leave the last question though to you. Do you have any announcements or things that we should know about?
Speaker 2
Just for the Eclipse, prepare yourself no matter where you live, Bloomington, Columbus, Nashville. You know, get your gas tank filled. Get your medications, mail delivery will not happen that day. The shelves may become bare in your location. So go ahead and get prepared. Get all your things and then just sit back and enjoy that special day.
Speaker 1
And hope that the weather is perfect like today. Hopefully,
Speaker 2
but you know what, if it's cloudy, it's still gonna get dark. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker
Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much. Appreciate your time. All right. Take care.
Hello and welcome to ask the mayor on WFIU I'm Joe Hren with WFIU and WTIU news. We're really happy to be back in Nashville. For those who follow the show we were here. Oh, a few few years ago, we were here every month, then an election came, some things changed. And we're hoping we can get back if not every month, maybe every other month or, or something like that down the road. And we're with town manager Sandie Jones has agreed to do this with us. Thank you so much. Welcome to the show. So nice to have you.
Unknown Speaker
Thank you for asking. Great to be here.
Speaker 1
Well, I know that. Obviously, this is a tourist town. And there's a lot coming up with the Eclipse. And I bet you guys are full like everyone else. We've talked to full mode on planning.
Speaker 2
Oh my gosh, I don't know. I should have kept track on how many Eclipse meetings that I've attended. From our emergency management, from our police, the fire the businesses, the residents. There's just so many angles to look at. And we're pretty much expecting, like a great fall weekend doubled for that weekend. The hotels that Airbnb is they're all booked the state parks all booked. So we're excited to show off our town. But it's a lot all at once.
Speaker 1
How about emergency services? I seem Columbus and Bloomington are really trying to focus in on that.
Speaker 2
Oh, yeah, we've been talking and they've got a game plan going on and trying to figure out, this is a pretty big County and how you're going to get people from point A to point B if needed an emergency. So those folks are working on it and they have a plan. Well, there's
Speaker 1
so many things to think about people don't you know, public restrooms you have we just talked about emergency services, you know, water, utilities, things like that. Is there anything that you're concerned about as the town is concerned about?
Speaker 2
I think we're okay with the water and in the sewer. I mean, as long as the electricity continues, I think we'll be alright. The town did purchase or rented some extra porta potties for for that week long event. Trash is going to be another big issue. So we've got extra trash facilities coming in. So some of it, you're going to be as prepared as you can be. And then you'll be like, Oh, I did forget that one tiny bit, and we'll find out what that is.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, this is what comes every 100 years or something. Right. This
Unknown Speaker
is my one and only, so I'm okay.
Speaker 1
Well, you touched upon a couple things. i The main thing I really the show, at least wanted to get to was water and sewer. And I know there are a lot of improvements that need to be done in this small town that brings in 1000s of people a year for tourism. Not everyone I assume is on town septic. I mean, I think that's a good town sewer. Correct sewer, right, just due to the terrain. But how are the personal septic fields inspected or overseen here? Well,
Speaker 2
the septic fields is really a county issue. Okay, the town is has its own wastewater treatment plant. And the exciting news is, we have been given the most generous gift from SRF for our wastewater, sewer rehab and improvements project plan. So the engineers This is we've been working on this for at least two, three years now trying to get funding for this big project. The engineers originally estimated it at 14 million, well then COVID hit and everything went crazy. And then it went up to 19 million SRF. Will you please give us some money? Sure. What SRF State Revolving phone funds, okay, okay, right. And so, they were like, okay, hey, we'll give you this and I'm like, Oh, that's wonderful. Now can we have a little bit more because that's still making my ratepayers pay a lot of money. And they're like, Okay, let's look at a couple other things. And they did that. Then they I said, Okay, just one more time, please. Is there anything left in that coffer? And they said, Yes. So we were looking at, at a pretty good significant 35% increase for our sewer customers, which is only like 777 of us. That was reduced thanks to the SRF down to 24.6% increase. It's still an increase, but it's not as much but what that will allow for is that our treatment plans upgrades, we won't be treating the wastewater, or I'm sorry, the stormwater that goes in with all the rains and stuff. We'll be fixing some things. So we will only be treating the waste the true wastewater, which will allow us to take on more. So if we have some, some big apartment complex that wants to come in a big convention center, we will have that capacity. And so that's, I know, it's weird, but that's pretty exciting. No,
Speaker 1
that's, that's huge. Yeah. And how about in terms of people being able to tap into that as well? Right.
Speaker 2
So So once that program, you know, once that all gets fixed, and like I said, an apartment complex comes in? We can we can take care of that. That's not a problem.
Speaker 1
And how about current residents? They'll stay the same, they'll stay the same, right? Okay. There's no requirement for them to have to tap
Speaker 2
into nope, nope, nope. It's we're just fixing the current infrastructure.
Speaker 1
Okay, and this is for wastewater, we're different from stormwater? Correct. That's yet another water, right. And I remember talking to DAX Norton A while back, and I think this town got was a $6 million project, just to control stormwater and get it up to speed because a lot of that clean water was going into the Correct,
Speaker 2
correct. So we're gonna make that clean water, not going to the sewer, but it still doesn't fix our stormwater. So one project at a time, we do have our hands out to SRF for our drinking water project, which like most all communities in the United States, the infrastructure has just been there for so long, and we've not made inroads to fixing that on a large scale. So we'll see how that plays out. But speaking of water we did. We did partner with the state park, they are no longer treating their own water, or, or their wastewater. And so SRF said, Hey, would you mind partnering with the parks, so we did a project with them to hook them on to our water. So that's, that's great for the State Park, they they don't have a problem now. And then, with the sewer project, they will be a new lift station installed so that we can take the other half of the park sewer, we take half of it now we'll take the other half.
Speaker 1
And that's huge. I'd get you another big customer correct to help. That is kind of a circle. Right? You get more money, you can do more infrastructure. Right? That Yeah. And that was huge. I know. We talked about that, again, a lot of this a couple years ago. It's kind of fun now two years ago to come back and see that this is actually how it's actually happening. Yes. Now where is that right now? For the sewer, the the water and sewer for the State Park. Water is hooked up. It's hooked out. We
Speaker 2
already did that one. Okay. And then the sewer. Like I said, Tomorrow, I go to pre close with SRF. Give us another month, close it, and then we can start all those projects.
Speaker 1
So we'll all this encourage the growth that you want in this town.
Speaker 2
Yeah. But but growth sometimes is a particular word here, because we really cherish the quiet the outdoors, the lack of hustle and bustle so to speak. But if we don't have growth, it's the same 100 people paying for everything. And so we're we're talking about how do we want to grow? In talking with our residents talking with our business owners, so we're starting the process of that, too. We got a lot of irons in the fire right now.
Speaker 1
Yeah. And then there's also just health. I mean, some of the sewage is leaking as well, right into the ground and in some places,
Speaker 2
and again, that's more of a septic issue that's out in the county that I don't deal with. Okay, right.
Speaker 1
This might be the same, but I'll just ask you anyway, I know House Bill 1352 deals with the inspection of residential on site sewage systems. That's in the house right now in the state legislature. Had you had a chance to look at that does that how does that affect Nashville residents?
Unknown Speaker
That's more of a county.
Speaker 1
I get that. Okay, right. Yeah, yeah. Well, you you went through a lot of these because we talked about the DNR, a Brown County State Park, huge customer. There wasn't a 11% water rate hike a couple years ago, too. So how is the funding balancing out for a lot of this?
Speaker 2
The 11% rate hike was due to we now have a utility service board. So it's a five member board that really truly digs into the budget. Are we are we taking care of the toys that we have the tools that we have? Are we are we keeping them updated? And so when they dove down really hard in that budget, they saw where there was some shortfalls, and how to make things better moving forward. And that's where that 11% came from.
Speaker 1
Town Council meeting updates, what's on the agenda? Anything? slips? Right. Right. Is there anything else pressing right now?
Unknown Speaker
Pressing Dolly,
Speaker 1
any more infrastructure? Towel paving sidewalks?
Speaker 2
We're constantly talking about sidewalks. I've been knocking on that door for a year now. Met with okra today, talking with our grant administrators. Yes. And I've talked to a couple different groups. So I'm circling wagons trying to get enough funding for our sidewalks. We already have a sidewalk master plan. So that helps. So the sidewalk and the entryway into town is something that that we're all looking at. Things don't go as quickly as I'd like them to go. So
Speaker 1
if I had a dime for every time I hear this, every mayor and everything. I mean, some of these projects years in the making. You have to get governmental agencies on board. Right, true. Right. Yeah. EPA or the Army Corps of Engineer.
Speaker 2
Right? Yes. Yeah. Now, a lot of that.
Speaker 1
Is there anything else on the state level that you're looking at, that you're hoping can help the town of Nashville? Well,
Speaker 2
I know one of the one of the things that that has been introduced is a bill to help get some funding for public safety people because of the state park. So the State Park is wonderful as it is we do not get those tax funds. And so our Sheriff's Department, from the county, the town police, the EMS, we're all paying for that. And we're looking to the state legislator to help us out and say, hey, we'll give you $1 a car or whatever it is, to help subsidize that.
Speaker 1
I was saw to I think this was a county commissioner meeting though, which I know is, you know, separate from the town. But talking about how the effects of the Brown County Music Center now is having on this area obviously brings in tourism. It also needs water and infrastructure was as well. Right. In keepers tax. I mean, there's a lot of give and take there isn't there. Right. But how much is Nashville involved in that
Unknown Speaker
the town? In the music center?
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, the Brown County Music Center.
Speaker 2
Restaurants get packed. Yeah. Some of the stores get packed. I know that Airbnb is and the hotels are just, yeah, yeah. And last night, it was sold out. It was Toto. So for all the baby boomers. Yeah, it was the vibe that just comes off of that. And then we got the brand Kenny Playhouse too, right downtown and downtown. And you know, they've got a group that's just knocking it out of the park as far as different shows and such they had to why store that's from Indiana. They've got a group coming in this weekend that does Elton John, one night, Billy Joel, the other night. You close your eyes, and it's real. So yeah, there's a lot of good, good energy with music around here. Right now.
Speaker 1
There was a little bit of discussion whether or not the county should sell it. Do you have any opinion on that? The Brown County Music Center.
Speaker 2
Do you have an opinion that I'm going to share? No. Yeah.
Speaker 1
Well, I mean, but that's been a point of contention, right to hear right locally. I know where it's a it's funded or by a government agency and something that that shouldn't be taxpayer money
Speaker 2
but they're taking care of themselves now. It was a black swan event with with the whole COVID thing. Prior to that, they were like they were filling the seats, right. COVID hits, everything turns on its head. They're back to filling seats, obviously if they have a sold out show last night, and they just gave the brand county Music Center gave a whole bunch of money to our Brown County Community Foundation as well as the county according to the agreement, so They are going beyond what they really thought they were even going to be able to do even with COVID. So it's pretty exciting.
Speaker 1
Yeah. And we did do a story on that. The money coming back to the foundation, right? Any trickle down? They're
Unknown Speaker
working on it. Yes.
Speaker 1
I can imagine. Yeah. Yeah. Because they're using water. They're using
Speaker 2
it. Right. They're using the sidewalks. Yeah. Right. So, yeah, we're, we're all just having to work together. I think Brown County back in the day used to be like, This is our thing. This is our thing. And this is our thing. And I think, I think now there's a sense of, hey, we're all in this together. Let's work together. And so that's exciting that that's steps forward. Thank
Speaker 1
you so much for doing this. I always like to leave the last question though to you. Do you have any announcements or things that we should know about?
Speaker 2
Just for the Eclipse, prepare yourself no matter where you live, Bloomington, Columbus, Nashville. You know, get your gas tank filled. Get your medications, mail delivery will not happen that day. The shelves may become bare in your location. So go ahead and get prepared. Get all your things and then just sit back and enjoy that special day.
Speaker 1
And hope that the weather is perfect like today. Hopefully,
Speaker 2
but you know what, if it's cloudy, it's still gonna get dark. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker
Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much. Appreciate your time. All right. Take care.
