The Brown County Area Plan Commission in cooperation with the Brown County Board of Commissioners is seeking proposals for professional planning consulting services to assist with and amendment and update to the Comprehensive Plan.

 

RFP Approved by the Plan Commission for Distribution                                October 27, 2026

RFP Released                                                                                                                 November 2, 2026 

Questions Due via email                                                                                            November 20, 2026

Proposals Due to the County                                                                                    4:00PM on December 4, 2026

Proposal Evaluation and Interviews                                                                     December / January

Contract Negotiations and Award by APC                                                            January 2027

Contract Approval by BCOC                                                                                      January 2027 

Comprehensive Plan Process                                                                                    January 2027 – October 2027 

 

Responses are solicited in accordance with terms, conditions, and instructions set forth in this Request for Proposal (RFP). All proposals are due no later than 4:00PM on December 4, 2026, and responses received after this time and date will not be accepted. Only electronic (submitted via parcel delivery, drop off, or email) submissions will be accepted. Please submit all proposals using the following mailing address, drop off location (installed on media device of your choice), or email (25mb size limit):

 

 

Planning Director
Brown County Area Plan Commission
Physical: 201 Locust Lane
Mailing: P.O. Box 401
Nashville, Indiana 47448

planning@browncounty-in.gov

 

BROWN COUNTY, INDIANA

A Residential Community with Tourism

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Project Purpose
3. Community Context
4. Scope of Services
5. Project Deliverables
6. Project Schedule
7. Consultant Qualifications
8. Proposal Requirements
9. Evaluation Criteria
10. Selection Process
11. Legal Requirements

1. INTRODUCTION

The Brown County Area Plan Commission, in cooperation with the Brown County Board of Commissioners, invites qualified planning consultants to submit proposals to amend and update the current Draft Comprehensive Plan and incorporate revisions to the County's 2011 Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of this effort is to produce a Comprehensive Plan that reflects Brown County's unique character, economic realities, infrastructure conditions, community values, and long-term vision while providing clear guidance for future land use and zoning decisions.

 

The County seeks a consultant capable of facilitating a comprehensive, community-driven planning process resulting in a practical, legally defensible, and implementable planning document suitable for adoption under Indiana law.

2. PROJECT PURPOSE

Brown County seeks a Comprehensive Plan that reflects both countywide priorities and the distinct characteristics of its individual townships.

 

The purpose of this project is to amend the current Revised Draft Comprehensive Plan and incorporate updated policies, recommendations, and implementation strategies that:

• Establish a shared vision for the future of Brown County.
• Reflect the County's identity, heritage, tourism economy, and rural character.
• Recognize the importance of tourism, agriculture, forestry, conservation, and residential development.
• Evaluate existing and future infrastructure needs.
• Provide clear guidance regarding future growth and land use.
• Promote informed public participation in planning and zoning matters.
• Establish objective decision-making criteria for future land use and zoning decisions.

The County intends that the Comprehensive Plan serve not only as a long-range policy document but also as a practical educational and decision-making tool. The amended Plan should improve public understanding of planning and zoning, provide greater transparency regarding development and land-use decisions, and establish objective criteria for evaluating future zoning amendments and development proposals. Public engagement activities shall therefore include both information sharing and feedback collection.

 

The resulting Comprehensive Plan shall serve as the County's primary policy framework for future planning decisions, zoning actions, infrastructure investments, and implementation activities.

3. COMMUNITY CONTEXT

Brown County is recognized for its scenic landscape, natural resources, historic arts community, outdoor recreation opportunities, and tourism economy. The County is also home to retirees, remote workers, second-home owners, and residents who choose Brown County because of its quality of life and rural setting.

 

Brown County functions as a residential community with tourism. Tourism, agriculture, forestry, construction, local services, recreation, and income generated outside the County all contribute to the local economy and quality of life. The planning process should recognize the diversity of conditions and priorities that exist throughout the County's townships.

Township-level planning and engagement shall include:

• Washington Township
• Jackson Township
• Hamblen Township
• Van Buren Township

 

4. SCOPE OF SERVICES

1. Scope and Intent of the Amendment

This project is intended to amend and refine the current Revised Draft Comprehensive Plan rather than initiate a completely new planning effort.

The Consultant shall review:

• The 2011 Comprehensive Plan;
• The Revised Draft Comprehensive Plan;
• Public comments received to date;
• Relevant infrastructure studies;
• Available demographic and economic information; and
• Additional planning documents identified by the County.

The Consultant shall identify amendments, modifications, additions, and clarifications necessary to produce a Comprehensive Plan that accurately reflects:

• The identity and character of Brown County;
• Township-specific conditions and priorities;
• Existing infrastructure and service capabilities;
• Natural resource conservation objectives;
• Tourism, agricultural, forestry, and residential land-use considerations;
• Economic and demographic realities; and
• Community expectations regarding future development and preservation.

B. Existing Conditions Assessment

The Consultant shall evaluate existing conditions and trends affecting Brown County, including:

• Population and demographic characteristics;
• Housing conditions and affordability;
• Economic and employment trends;
• Tourism and visitor impacts;
• Agricultural and forestry resources;
• Transportation systems;
• Utilities and public infrastructure;
• Broadband accessibility;
• Community facilities and services;
• Environmental and natural resources; and
• Existing land-use and development patterns.

Deliverable - Existing Conditions Report

C. Stakeholder and Community Engagement

The Consultant shall develop and implement a public participation strategy designed to maximize community involvement and ensure broad geographic representation throughout Brown County.

Stakeholder engagement shall include interviews with:

• Elected officials;
• Area Plan Commission members;
• Community organizations;
• Business leaders;
• Tourism representatives;
• Agricultural and forestry interests;
• Utility providers;
• Emergency service providers;
• Educational institutions; and
• Residents.

Digital engagement opportunities shall be incorporated into the planning process.

Deliverable - Stakeholder and Public Engagement Summary Report

D. Township-Based Public Engagement and Public Education

The Consultant shall conduct a minimum of one public workshop within each township:

• Washington Township
• Jackson Township
• Hamblen Township
• Van Buren Township

Purpose

The workshops shall:

1. Gather meaningful public input regarding future growth, development, infrastructure, conservation, and community priorities.
2. Educate residents regarding planning, zoning, and land-use decision-making processes.

Required Zoning and Land-Use Education

At a minimum, each workshop shall explain:

Property Zoning

• How property within Brown County is currently zoned.
• How zoning maps are used.
• The relationship between zoning and land-use planning.

Zoning Districts

• The zoning districts and overlay districts utilized throughout Brown County.
• The purpose and intent of each zoning district.
• The characteristics of each district and the development patterns they are intended to support.

Allowable Uses

• Permitted uses.
• Conditional uses.
• Special exception uses.
• Development opportunities and limitations applicable to each zoning district.

Zoning Amendments

• How zoning changes are initiated.
• The zoning amendment review process.
• Public hearing requirements.
• The roles of the property owner, Area Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Board of Commissioners.

Decision Criteria

The Consultant shall develop and explain how future land-use decisions are evaluated and how proposed changes align with or conflict with the goals, policies, and recommendations contained within the Comprehensive Plan.

Public Input Requirements

The Consultant shall facilitate discussion concerning:

• Community assets and defining characteristics;
• Conditions residents wish to preserve;
• Desired and undesired future development patterns;
• Infrastructure opportunities and constraints;
• Community character and identity; and
• Long-range goals for each township and the County as a whole.

Results shall be documented and summarized separately by township and incorporated into Comprehensive Plan recommendations.

Deliverable - Township Engagement and Public Education Report

E. Community Vision and Planning Framework

The Consultant shall facilitate development of a countywide vision and planning framework that reflects Brown County's identity, rural character, tourism economy, natural resources, and community values.

The framework shall establish long-term goals and planning principles to guide:

• Future land use;
• Infrastructure investments;
• Economic development initiatives;
• Conservation efforts; and
• Community development activities.

Deliverable - Community Vision and Planning Framework

F. Future Land Use and Infrastructure Strategy

The Consultant shall prepare recommendations addressing:

• Future land-use patterns;
• Community character and preservation priorities;
• Development opportunities and constraints;
• Water and wastewater infrastructure;
• Transportation systems;
• Broadband availability;
• Emergency services; and
• Environmental and natural resource protection.

Recommendations shall be practical, achievable, and aligned with existing or planned infrastructure capacity.

 

 

Deliverables - Future Land Use Map, Infrastructure Assessment, and Growth and Conservation Strategy

G. Decision Criteria and Land Use Evaluation Framework

The Consultant shall develop and recommend an objective Decision Criteria Framework to support future land-use and zoning decisions.

The framework shall:

• Identify criteria used to evaluate zoning amendments and development proposals.
• Clarify how proposed changes are determined to be consistent or inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
• Improve transparency and predictability in future decision-making.
• Reduce ambiguity in interpreting Comprehensive Plan policies.
• Support informed decision-making by elected officials, appointed boards, applicants, and residents.

At a minimum, criteria should address:

• Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan;
• Community character and compatibility;
• Infrastructure capacity and public-service impacts;
• Environmental and natural-resource impacts;
• Economic benefits and costs;
• Property values and quality of life; and
• Responsible growth and development principles.

The Consultant shall evaluate whether new decision criteria should supplement or replace existing criteria and shall recommend a weighted scoring matrix or similar methodology where appropriate.

Deliverable - Decision Criteria and Land Use Evaluation Framework

 

 

 

H. Draft and Final Comprehensive Plan

The Consultant shall prepare:

• Draft Comprehensive Plan;
• Public Review Draft;
• Revised Draft;
• Final Comprehensive Plan; and
• Executive Summary.

The final document shall be suitable for adoption by the Area Plan Commission and Board of Commissioners and shall comply with applicable Indiana planning statutes.

5. PROJECT DELIVERABLES

The Consultant shall provide:

1. Project Work Plan and Schedule.
2. Existing Conditions Report.
3. Stakeholder Interview Summary Report.
4. Public Engagement Plan.
5. Township Engagement and Public Education Report.
6. Community Vision and Planning Framework.
7. Infrastructure Assessment.
8. Future Land Use Map and Recommendations.
9. Zoning Education Materials Used During Public Workshops.
10. Decision Criteria and Land Use Evaluation Framework.
11. Draft Comprehensive Plan.
12. Final Comprehensive Plan.
13. Executive Summary.
14. Editable Microsoft Word Files.
15. PDF Versions of Final Documents.
16. Applicable GIS Data Files.

 

 

6. PROJECT SCHEDULE

Project Phase

Estimated Timeline

Consultant Selection & Contract Execution

Months 1-2

Existing Conditions Assessment

Months 2-4

Stakeholder Interviews

Months 3-5

Township Engagement & Public Education

Months 4-7

Draft Plan Development

Months 7-10

Public Review & Revisions

Months 10-12

Public Hearings & Adoption

Months 12-13

7. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

The Consultant should demonstrate:

• Extensive experience preparing county and regional comprehensive plans;
• Experience conducting community engagement in rural communities;
• Familiarity with Indiana planning and zoning law;
• Experience preparing future land-use plans and implementation strategies;
• Experience developing public education materials related to planning and zoning;
• Ability to analyze infrastructure, economic, demographic, and environmental conditions; and
• Experience producing visually effective planning documents.

Preference may be given to firms demonstrating successful completion of similar projects involving rural communities, tourism economies, township planning, subarea planning, environmental resources, and community preservation objectives.

8. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals should not exceed twenty (20) pages excluding resumes, references, project examples, and appendices.

Proposals shall include:

Cover Letter

Firm Qualifications

Project Team

Relevant Experience

Examples of:

• Comprehensive plans;
• Rural planning projects;
• County planning projects;
• Township or subarea plans; and
• Public engagement initiatives.

Project Approach

The Consultant shall describe its methodology for:

• Existing Conditions Assessment;
• Township Engagement;
• Public Education;
• Vision Development;
• Infrastructure Assessment;
• Land Use Analysis;
• Decision Criteria Development; and
• Preparation of the Final Comprehensive Plan.

Schedule

Cost Proposal

 

References A minimum of three (3) project references.

Draft Contract

Optional proposed professional services agreement.

9. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Evaluation Category

Points

Relevant Experience

20

Project Team Qualifications

20

Project Approach and Understanding of Objectives

25

Township Engagement and Public Education Strategy

20

Understanding of Brown County Conditions and Planning Issues

10

Cost Proposal

5

TOTAL

100

Evaluation will consider the Consultant's demonstrated ability to conduct township-level engagement, develop zoning education materials, explain zoning districts and allowable uses, and create objective land-use decision-making frameworks.

10. SELECTION PROCESS

The Area Plan Commission may interview one or more firms before making a recommendation. Following evaluation and interviews, the Commission will recommend a consultant to the Brown County Board of Commissioners for contract approval.

Brown County reserves the right to:

• Reject any or all proposals;
• Request clarification of submitted information;
• Negotiate scope, schedule, and fees; and
• Select the proposal determined to be in the best interest of the County.

11. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

All services shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The selected Consultant shall comply with all Indiana procurement requirements, E-Verify requirements, and nondiscrimination provisions applicable to public contracts.

Brown County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities, and negotiate final terms with the selected Consultant.