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
317-459-4407
Occupation
Government Watchdog
My previous executive experience managing hundreds of clients and employees gives me a strong background in legal compliance, financial management, and litigation prevention. Additionally, my eight years of attending hundreds of local government meetings across nearly every department have equipped me with deep insight into our county operations, which I actively share with the public through Brown County Refreshed.
Our most urgent challenges are failing infrastructure, a declining bond rating, and recurring audit findings from the State Board of Accounts. I will address these by prioritizing critical bridge repairs, implementing compliance processes to resolve audit issues, and conducting comprehensive employee training on internal controls and taxpayer service.
I am not aware of any plans for data centers in Brown County. I don't believe that data centers are the solution to our data storage issues. I would not support a data center. Too much destruction when I believe a better solution to the problem will ultimately be found.
Commissioners should make themselves accessible to the public every single day, which is why I am happy to provide my cellphone number and answer calls to help taxpayers with government issues.
Brown County faces a severe affordable housing crisis because a median home price of $455,000 conflicts with local worker salaries of $40,000 to $50,000, ultimately pricing long-term residents out of the area. Addressing this issue requires investing in proper sewer infrastructure so that essential multi-family units and apartments can be built.
Education Background
Brown County High School Graduate. Indiana University Bloomington, Bachelors Degree in Public Affairs
Occupation
Small Business Owner
I bring experience as a County Council member, former Director of Broadband Opportunities for Indiana, former Nashville Town Manager and Economic Development Director, and small business owner. I have worked with local, state and federal partners to expand broadband, improve infrastructure, secure resources and solve difficult problems. That experience has also shown me where government can improve. As Commissioner, I will focus on collaboration, accountability, long-term planning, strong financial controls and follow-through, with clear responsibility and measurable results.
Brown County must get the basics right: safe roads and bridges, dependable public safety, responsible financial management and infrastructure that helps families and businesses succeed. I will support our Sheriff, EMS and volunteer firefighters; establish transparent, multi-year priorities for roads, bridges and county assets; and work to eliminate repeat audit findings through clear responsibility, corrective actions and deadlines. We must also expand opportunity while protecting Brown County's rural character.
I would be surprised to see a proposal for a large data center in Brown County given our terrain and limitations in water, sewer, roads and electrical infrastructure. It is also unlikely that a large data center would be consistent with our current zoning regulations and Comprehensive Plan without significant land-use considerations. Even if a location could meet our land-use requirements, the water, power, transportation and other infrastructure necessary to support a large facility would likely make such a project impractical in Brown County.
Public listening sessions should be held early enough that public input can actually influence a decision—not after important decisions have already been made. I would use them for major projects, significant land-use or infrastructure decisions, and proposals that substantially affect residents or property owners. Meetings should be announced in advance, held at accessible times and locations when practical, and provide clear information about costs, benefits and alternatives. After listening, Commissioners must make decisions, explain them and move forward with what is best for Brown County Taxpayers.
Brown County needs attainable housing for the people who keep our community working—teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, service employees and young families. We should encourage housing where infrastructure can support it, remove unnecessary barriers, pursue outside investment and respect property rights and neighbors. As Nashville Town Manager, I helped secure the town's first state housing tax-credit project, creating 57 apartments for residents 55 and older with minimal neighborhood impact. We can expand housing without sacrificing our rural character.
