Opinion ID: 2672780
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Public Work Statute violation

Text: We summarily affirm that portion of the Court of Appeals’ opinion holding that the scheme used by School Corporation and Foundation violated the Public Building Laws. 3 In so doing, we make the following observations. We share Judge Friedlander’s concern about the potential for such a holding to “create[] uncertainty for private foundations regarding the extent of support they may provide for public educational institutions before becoming subject to Public Bidding Laws.” Alva Electric, Inc., 984 N.E.2d at 686 (Friedlander, J., dissenting). We want to make clear that the holding in this case should not be construed to mean that all (or even most) contracts entered into by private entities like Foundation “for the ultimate benefit of and in cooperation with a political subdivision like School Corporation” necessarily run afoul of the Public Work Statute. Id. at 685. We note here in particular the clear appearance that in all of Foundation’s actions related to the project, it was acting on behalf of School Corporation. Though neither the parties nor the Court of Appeals explicitly addressed the possibility that Foundation was acting as an agent 4 for its principal School Corporation throughout the transaction, the Taxpayers’ and Court of Appeals focus on “School Corporation’s heavy involvement in and control over the renovation project from its inception to its completion,” id. at 684, naturally leads in that direction. “Whether an agency relationship exists is generally a question of fact, but if the evidence is undisputed, summary judgment may be appropriate.” Demming v. Underwood, 943 N.E.2d 878, 884 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans. denied. The record in this case is not developed as to the elements of an agency relationship so we leave that discussion for another day. 3 We also summarily affirm the Court of Appeals opinion in determining Taxpayers’ claims are not moot and determining the Public Lawsuit Statute applies to this case. See Alva Elec., Inc., 984 N.E.2d at 67678. 4 “An agent is one who acts on behalf of some person, with that person’s consent and subject to that person’s control.” Oil Supply Co., v. Hires Parts Serv., Inc., 726 N.E.2d 246, 248 (Ind. 2000). 6