My budget priority would be to ensure PUBLIC SAFETY by raising pay for our officers and first responders significantly and providing every tool they need to maintain order throughout our county. If public safety is ignored or poorly funded, no other issue will matter.
This issue is basically out of the Council's hands, since it is an executive (and possibly legislative) issue. However, I would refer back to my answer to the first question. If public safety is ignored or poorly funded, no other issue will matter.
Please refer to response #2.
Again, this issue rests in the hands of the County Commissioners. Please refer to response #2. The County Council's scope of influence does not include such wide ability. The Council approves (or denies) funding requests submitted by the various departments throughout county government.
Campaign Phone
765-479-0720
Education
Purdue University- Bachelor of Science
Experience in Leadership and Management
Project Coordinator at Solinftec, Hoosier Girls State Chairmen for American Legion Post 492
My budget priorities for the next county budget would reflect a commitment to promoting long-term community well-being and responsible stewardship of resources. Here are the key areas of focus: Sustainable Development Initiatives: Promote and support sustainable development practices that prioritize long-term community well-being over short-term gains. Community Engagement and Outreach: Allocate resources towards community engagement and outreach efforts to ensure that residents' voices are heard. Comprehensive Planning Approach: Advocate for the adoption of land use plans that carefully balance the needs of agricultural preservation with urban development initiatives.
To prepare for rapid economic development while maintaining financial stability, the Council can consider a range of actions: Develop a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the county's long-term economic goals, infrastructure needs, and fiscal priorities. Allocate funds for critical infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, public transportation, and utilities to support economic development. Maintain prudent fiscal policies, such as balanced budgets, debt management strategies, and reserve funds, to mitigate financial risks associated with rapid economic development.
To address the reduction in property tax funds due to the state's actions, Tippecanoe County can take several strategic steps: Develop long-term financial planning strategies to anticipate and prepare for future fluctuations in property tax revenue. This may involve creating reserve funds, establishing financial contingency plans, and conducting regular budget reviews and projections. Focus on economic development initiatives to stimulate growth in the county's tax base. Review the county budget to identify areas where adjustments can be made to compensate for the reduction in property tax revenue.
The Council can play a significant role in addressing housing availability and affordability challenges in Tippecanoe County through various actions: Incorporate affordable housing goals into the county's comprehensive land use planning process. Identify suitable locations for affordable housing developments, encourage mixed-use development, and prioritize transit-oriented development to increase housing options and accessibility. Forge partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, developers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to leverage resources and expertise in addressing housing challenges. Work with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement housing policies tailored to the county's specific needs.
Campaign Phone
765-404-7422
Education
BA Randolph-Macon Woman's College, M.Ed. University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Experience in Leadership and Management
23 years as Director of Nonprofit organizations including New Chauncey Housing Inc. and Food Finders Food Bank. Led the Food Finders team through the COVID crisis providing food to 16 counties without shutting down. Managed a 19 million dollar budget at Food Finders. Oversaw more than 30 employees and worked with leaders in 16 counties.
Campaign Video
The county is in good health financially. If elected I will support the proposed expansion of the public health programs. I will encourage spending on initiatives that protect the environment or address the housing shortage. I will encourage supporting social service agencies with grants for expansion, particularly organizations that provide mental health services.
The county is sound financially with a surplus in the general fund and a substantial rainy day fund. Economic development often generates new taxes that should help fund expansion that may be necessary due to growth. Because we face a reduction in tax revenue due to the recent law that cuts taxes for landlords we may have to reconsider or delay expenditures funded from property tax revenue.
If the legislature does not move quickly to reconsider this unjust assessment of rental properties I believe the Cities and the County should enter into a lawsuit with other City and County governments that are hurt by this change. This law only benefits apartment owners who lobbied for this change. Most apartment buildings in Tippecanoe County are assessed below their market value and this legislation gives unfair advantage to the owners of apartment complexes while cutting funding to our cities, counties, and schools. This law must be changed or repealed.
I would like to see the County offer incentives to build housing in existing neighborhoods. There are areas with multiple blighted homes that could be purchased renovated and made available to people wishing to purchase homes. Additionally new housing could be built provided it does not have a negative impact on the environment or the infrastructure that would serve the development.
Campaign Phone
7654097045
Education
Bachelors Degree from Purdue University
Experience in Leadership and Management
10 years as a teacher, 4 years in Foodservice Management, 2 years as Co-Founder/COO of an EdTech Startup, 2 years at the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, 2 years at MatchBOX Co-Working Studio, 1 year on the West Lafayette Board of Public Works and Safety.
My priorities for the next county budget are four-fold: First, immediately direct more funds towards integrating mental health professionals and practice into our criminal justice/corrections facilities. Second, appropriating more funds towards incentivizing green energy policies, including but not limited to financing the construction of solar panels on facilities under county control. Third, using county funds to create financial incentives for builders and developers to design housing in a way that is attainable for all, especially workforce housing. Finally, I will work to create long-term strategic budget plans so that we are prepared for any financials changes in the future.
As mentioned before, one important action is the development of a strategic budget plan. This allows us, like any sound business or municipality, to forecast potential changes in the economy, incoming revenue, and outgoing expenses, with corresponding plans of action. Second, we need to maximize the amount of financial decisions that rely on municipal rules and regulations. Finally, we need to allocate adequate funds towards not just housing, but *good* housing that attracts new members of the community who wish to stay long-term, giving back to the community both financially and non-financially with a long-term vested interest in our well-being.
Fortunately, the City Governments and County Commissioners are already working with the Department of Local Government Finance in an effort to modify the rules to help us better adjust to changes in property tax funds. However, this is not enough. The County needs to also address the underlying risk involved in being beholden to the volatility of the State Government. While it is wonderful that we make use of funds to incentivize economic development, we cannot do it in a way that is susceptible to being taken away from us in a statewide change in property tax assessments. It's important that we prioritize local economic policies that bring businesses here, create jobs, and generate non-property-based tax revenue for our economy.
There are a number of things the County can do to address our ever-growing housing issue. One example of what the County can do is buying basis points off a loan of a developer in exchange for an agreement to implement workforce housing policies. Another example is using some of the County-owned land as an in-kind donation, again in exchange for the developer building with certain housing regulations or income assistance policies in mind. Finally, although the County Council cannot directly shape City Council/Government policy, I believe that we all have to work together, which means fostering a dialogue with Municipal Councils, Development Commissions, the Area Planning Commission, the Zoning Board, and more.
Education
Bachelor Degree - Purdue University, Masters Degree - Ball State University
Experience in Leadership and Management
National Board for Extension 4-H Educators, Regional Specialist for DNR staff in 24 counties
Even though the county currently has sufficient funds to operate and manage our various programs, the Council still needs to critically analyze each appropriation request very carefully.
Also, maintaining qualified staff is critical, so the Council needs to provide comparable and competitive salaries for these individuals.
Growth is generally good for a community and the economic base, if adhered to responsibly. The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects. These funds should be used as intended to help with this expected growth. The use of TIF on projects can at times result in an increase in the value of surrounding real estate, which can generate an increase in property value, leading to an increase in tax revenue. Also sales-tax revenue and jobs can be affected, which are all positive for the community.
Indiana Code 6-1.1-4-39 went into effect January 1, 2023. The goal of the law was to protect apartment owners from large property tax bills where sale prices and rents have increased rapidly over a short period. The new law forces assessors to ignore the trending adjustments, which means rental property assessed values will drop significantly. Fewer tax dollars translates into less money for schools, cities, townships, counties and libraries.
Unfortunately, this was passed during the eleventh hour and seemingly flew under the radar with little time to question or react.
Contacting the state legislators to share concerns and push for change is the appropriate next step. For now, the Council needs to be mindful of these reduction.
Last Fall, Purdue University set an all-time student enrollment record of 50,884 and is working with other local governments to address the housing needs. Growth throughout Tippecanoe County continues to also be an area that needs to be addressed.
The Council, Commissioners and Plan Commission need to be open to additional housing developments that don't infringe on existing neighborhoods or greatly reduce our valuable farm lands and natural environment.
Education
BA in Criminal Justice from Indiana University and a Masters of Criminal Justice from Boston University
I would encourage focusing the budget on being able to keep up with the economic development, health and mental health initiatives, greener initiatives, and working on addressing how to support county agencies that may be dealing with understaffing. A focus on the budget should also be looking at how to address the LEAP project, especially after the results of the study are released.
The Council can work together to prepare smart planning strategies to keep up with the rapid economic growth of Tippecanoe County. The Council should prepare for an increase in housing, infrastructure, amenities, resources, etc.
Tippecanoe County can look into different avenues on how to address the reductions in property tax funds, especially once the County knows how it will be impacted by the change in property tax funds. The county can look at if there are any pauses or cuts that they can make in spending due to the potential decrease in funding. Ideally, any changes should be done to minimize the impact on program, resources, and county agencies. The potential impact to the community in addressing these reductions should be as minimized as much as possible. The county can also look into different avenues on how to address the legislation for the property tax itself.
There should be smart planning when it comes to housing availability and affordability in Tippecanoe County. Smart planning will include building housing, but also being mindful of what is being built for all residents in the county. Lower income housing and housing for students should be included in the planning as Tippecanoe County develops. Tippecanoe County should also look at different and creative ideas, including looking to communities who are using different ideas to address the housing issue and seeing success.
Campaign Phone
7657141990
Education
Skilled Machinist
Experience in Leadership and Management
Following the loss of two of our three children to cancer my wife Tami and I started the Mackey Children's Cancer Foundation. today, Tami and I have won a $2.8 million dollar grant from the NIH to address the toxic water issue (Tetrachloroethylene) in Martinsville IN. This involves bring scientist from three major universities together to resolve a very dangerous issue.
My priorities for the next county budget will be funding investments in our criminal justice system, protecting Tippecanoe’s vital natural resources and proactively addressing expected county growth.
Americans are moving out of large cities, driven primarily by cost of living and they are migrating to smaller cities and bringing with them three primary components of economic growth, namely capital, labor and entrepreneurship Tippecanoe must be able to provide the last component and that is room for population to grow. This may require new zoning, and the need for greater digital and physical infrastructure across all of Tippecanoe County to accommodate anticipated growth. The council must work to the strengths of our community, and these will be the challenges of our shared future.
The county response to these irresponsible tax cuts for multi-use buildings will primarily affect city budgets on both sides of the Wabash. The county’s response will hinge largely on what remedial actions the city governments take. What I can guarantee is this: I will work with every member of local government to ensure Tippecanoe county remains united in building the best possible future for our residents.
Tippecanoe Area Plan Commission has created the Unified Planning Work program 2023-2024. I encourage Tippecanoe residents to review this document which comprehensively defines where we are looking to address the housing issue. As Tippecanoe has done in the past with success, we are bringing together affected stakeholders not just here in Tippecanoe but neighboring counties as well to ensure both meeting the needs of our community and providing for smart growth without creating urban sprawl. I intend to support our community’s line of thinking.
Campaign Phone
765-532-6211
Education
Jefferson High School, Police Academy, BGCA Leadership Academy
Experience in Leadership and Management
Certified occupancy specialist, Case Manager Area IV Council on Aging, Group Home Manager, Pioneer Lafayette DARE Officer, Chapter Advisor Phi Delta Theta Purdue University, Lafayette City Councilman, Manager Subsidized Housing Complex, Executive Director Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club, Sheriff Tippecanoe County, Current Councilman
It is of utmost importance to be a good steward of tax payers’ dollars and stay within the budget. It is also a priority of mine to not raise taxes.
It is important that we be proactive in our county investments. We need to be sure that any decision made is a sustainable one that will allow for responsible, conservative growth.
For a long term solution, we have history that we can look back and learn from. This happened in the late 1990s. It is crucial that as a community, we unite, to demand change to this law so we have fair tax rates. Short term, we need to be very conservative and aware of the reductions so that we can adequately budget for the expenses and ensure services are met.
From a big picture point of view, expanding financial literacy will help solve many of the housing challenges. However, it is not that simple. We can look at the local zoning laws, leverage public-private partnerships and understand this is a long-term work in progress.
Education
University of Akron, Special Education. IVY Tech Community College, Business Administration. Certified Professional in Human Resources. Society of Human Resources-Certified Professional
Experience in Leadership and Management
Food and Beverage Supervision and Training (12 yrs), Staffing and Human Resource Coordination & Management (27 yrs), Entrepreneur/Business Manager (17 yrs), Board Chair/Public Affairs/Government Liaison/Disaster Team Leader - American Red Cross (23 Yrs), Board Member on several other non-profit organizations, Current Capstone Project Manager - Leadership Lafayette
Staffing for the Public Safety Departments. Infrastructure investment to support growth. Economic Development for attainable housing. Parks and trails funding for expansion.
Evaluate additional funding sources. Research the apartment tax assessment shortfall to determine how to challenge the current ruling or where to allocate funds from other funding sources.
First determine how much shortfall there is in tax revenue. Research the County's options to challenge the state ruling. Allocate funding until if/when the assessed revenue is restored.
I sit on the board for the Builder's Association of Greater Lafayette. Continue to work with local builders to determine the need and location for attainable housing. Target areas that are closer to businesses with a larger workforce to build houses that are close and convenient. I am currently working with a non-profit to build accessible housing for neurodiverse adults and families.
Campaign Phone
7654046404
Education
B.S. Agriculture Economics, Purdue University
Experience in Leadership and Management
Indiana Farm Bureau- Board of Directors (Executive Committee, Chair of Compensation Committee), Crestview Community Church-Board of Elders, Tippecanoe County Council- President (President of Tippecanoe County Community Corrections Advisory Board)
Public Safety and the safety of citizens of Tippecanoe County is the number one job of county government. The County Council stepped up and made funding changes to the budget for different critical position such as Jail Deputies and Prosecuting Attorneys in order to foster a pay grid and environment that will help attract and keep the workforce needed to help keep our people safe. The Council put together a Public Safety Committee to evaluate the needs of our County and the uses of our funding sources to make sure we maximized the effectiveness for keeping our County both fiscally sound and anticipated the needs for public safety infrastructure and personnel in the future.
Keep our spending in proper alignment with the growth so that tax rates do not accelerate too much and then create a drag on our local economy and also create a greater tax burden for the tax payers and citizens of Tippecanoe County.
Fiscal restraint and discipline is the key to keeping spending and tax rates in line with the growth of our local economy.
The overall tax levy will not be significantly affected by the action fo the state. Again, keeping spending in alignment with growth of the economy will keep all tax rates at an acceptable level for tax payers of all classes of properties.
Keeping tax rates at as reasonable level as possible is the key to allowing the marketplace to take care of those kinds of issues. The County Council cannot do things that will directly affect the housing availability and affordability outside of keeping the tax rates at reasonable levels for all citizens of the County.
