Commissioners are elected for four year terms on a staggered basis. The Board of Commissioners consists of three elected officials who must reside in separate districts but are elected by the voters of the county as a whole. Commissioner Districts must be redrawn at least once every 10 years.The Board of Commissioners is the executive of the county and shares legislative powers with the County Council. It enacts ordinances and administers all county business. Powers and authorities include but are not limited to:· Controlling, maintaining and supervising county owned property including the Courthouse, jail and offices; auditing county books· Establishing township boundaries· Supervising construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges· Developing and administering personnel policies for county employees· Establishing precincts, providing polling places and election equipment, administering elections in conjunction with County Election Board· Establishing minimum housing standards, building regulations, fire prevention ordinances, contracting ambulance services; regulating food establishments, assisting community mental health centers, assisting public transportation facilities, carrying out poor relief duties· Selecting and appointing members to fill positions on boards, commissions, committees and appointing certain department heads· Establishing parks and recreation facilities, war memorials, historical markers, maintaining county forests· Establishing solid-waste districts and serving on the district boards which are responsible for 20 year plans for disposal, recovery and reduction of solid waste
Campaign Phone
(812)219-6428
Education Background
Bachelor's Environmental Policy and Management, Purdue. Graduate Practical Nursing, Ivy Tech, Currently Pursuing Master's Public Administration
Occupation
Travel Nurse
The County Commissioners conduct the county's business and can act as both the executive and legislative branches. Our stakeholders are affected by the decisions made by the town and county political officials, and both entities should work together to ensure all those affected by our choices are confident we are working for all the county residents.
Providing an inclusive environment for the county's stakeholders is important to me. Aside from allowing public comments as permitted by law, we need to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have their voices heard. Doing things such as using technology to allow residents to attend public meetings online and making commissioners personally available is important. Additionally, allowing constituents to suggest other forms of communication that they feel comfortable with and then pursuing the use of these suggestions makes sure everyone has a voice they can be assured is heard by their leaders and others in charge.
One of the biggest is school funding. In order to ensure our children and grandchildren's future we must provide the schools and teachers with the funding they need. Passing the Brown County School Funding Referendum would be an important first step in meeting funding needs.
It is also important to make sure that funds received from all tax and income sources are used responsibly in a way that benefits all stakeholders and that those stakeholders have a say so in the way their money is spent.
I have researched and written on this subject in my graduate program and believe the county has a remarkable resource in the number of vacant units we now have within the county. Using that resource to attract new families to the area would allow the tax base to increase and provide benefits for all county residents. In order to do this, we must take advantage of the grant programs and other financial incentives available to the county for assisting lower and moderate-income residents with home ownership and making sure we advertise the resources the county has available to those who need and will use them.
Campaign Phone
765-346-4642
Education Background
Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering
Occupation
Self Employed/Retired
All local and municipal government should strive to work together to achieve what is best for the county, which includes working with the Town of Nashville when there is a common goal. This would mean engaging with the Town on a regular basis so that we all have a clear understanding of each other's challenges and opportunities of where we can work together today and in 5 years.
The Commissioner meetings are one forum for engaging but given the limited time and topics covered in those meetings, I believe the best way to engage is to have one on one or small group discussions with your elected officials.
Prior to being elected and if elected, I will welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone and discuss any topic that is related to the responsibilities of the Commissioner.
All elected officials and department heads need to work together to secure our financial house by keeping spending under control, better understanding our revenue, and effectively managing our personnel, assets, and capital infrastructure. Establishing internal controls upon which the county is run would be instrumental.
Developing and regularly updating a five-year plan would be essential so we can be proactive in preparing for budgetary concerns and take advantage of grants that we are aware of.
Commissioners are fundamental to proactively managing and planning in these areas and many of their responsibilities significantly impact the County’s financial health and wellbeing.
Having a longer-term strategic plan may help address this topic but that means it takes not only local government but the community. Commissioners can contribute here by making sure we have appointed the best candidates to boards, have a clear capital improvement plan, solid comprehensive plan, and a robust long-term strategic plan in place.
