Members of the county council are elected to serve staggered four-year terms. Three council members at large are elected by the voters of the entire county. Four council members are elected from separate districts, chosen by the voters of their district alone. Council districts must be redrawn every 10 years and may be done in any odd-numbered year.The financial powers of a county are placed in the county council, which serves as a check on the Board of Commissioners and Board of Finance.The County Council has fiscal control over all county officers, boards and commissions and appropriates funds used by the county and its officers. Powers and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:· Approving annual operating budgets of all county offices and agencies, including establishing salaries and other compensation· Fixing property tax rates, establishing levies, establishing rates for the county adjusted gross income tax (CAGIT); county option income tax (COIT), county economic development income tax (CEDIT), excise surtax and wheel tax· Authorizing the borrowing of money through bonds or notes· Authorizing purchase or sale of certain county property· Making appropriations of public funds
Campaign Phone
812-375-4174
Education Background
Indiana Wesleyan University – Business Administration College for Financial Planning – AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPS® Coach U. Graduate
Occupation
Managing Partner, McAvoy Kemp Wealth Management, LLC
Serving the past 39 months as your County Councilman has been a valuable learning experience.
When I took office in 2023, I committed myself to understanding the full scope of county government and the responsibility of managing taxpayer dollars.
I begin by studying Indiana State Statutes, Title 36, along with the oversight roles of the Department of Local Government Finance and the State Board of Accounts.
I have also worked extensively with the state’s Gateway reporting system to better understand the county’s financial structure of more than 170 funds that track receipts and over 750 line items that account for expenditures.
Equally important has been learning the annual costs and funding sources for all 26 county departments.
My purpose is to serve the taxpayers by making sound financial decisions that ensure stability, efficiency, and long-term prosperity.
I am committed to the following principles:
Striving to achieve and maintain the highest Standard & Poor’s credit rating of AAA.
Providing adequate funding for county government while managing expenses at or below the rate of inflation measured by Consumer Price Index.
Reducing or stabilizing both property tax and county income tax rates to protect taxpayers.
Strengthening the county’s financial position by increasing cash reserve balances from primary funding sources.
Thus reducing and eliminating the need for both short-term and long-term debt financing.
Since 2017, I have attended and listened to numerous discussions about comprehensive planning, economic development, and affordable housing in our county.
Achieving these goals will require significant investment in core infrastructure—roads and bridges, power systems, water and wastewater services, high-speed internet, and public safety resources. Without these foundational investments, meaningful growth and development will be difficult to sustain.
Before projects of this scale can realistically move forward, county stakeholders must first come together around a clear, shared vision for the next 24 years. Until that alignment exists, discussions about long-term development will remain largely conceptual rather than actionable.
Like everyone else, my time and energy are limited. In my role as a councilman, my primary focus is fiscal policy. I am always available to answer questions related to county fiscal matters and welcome ideas that help increase public awareness and understanding of local government fiscal policy.
If community stakeholders are serious about increasing the county’s housing inventory, the conversation must begin with how to secure the capital investment to build the infrastructure required to support additional housing units.
