County Council At-large Choose 3
The County Council has authority to view or review fiscal matters, determine proper policy and set priorities for the allocation and expenditure of county funds. Responsibilities include, 1) Approving and fixing annual operating budgets of all county government offices and agencies; 2) Establishing salaries of all county officials and employees; 3) Fixing tax rates and establishing levies on all county property as well as authorizing the borrowing of money in the form of bonds and notes; 4) Appropriating public funds; 5) Authorizing certain purchases or sales of county-owned land.
Biographical Information
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
Candidate has not yet responded.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
Candidate has not yet responded.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Campaign Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/scottkoontzhenrycountycouncil
Education
High School -Blue River and college-Ball State
Experience and qualifications
Owner Koontz Insurance & Financial over 20 years, HC Hospital Foundation Board and various other boards and groups
Community involvements
co founder Secret Families of Henry County Christmas Charity, Optimist, Kiwanis, Masons, KOP, Mooreland Fair Board
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
Our county is in a great position for growth. We need to provide water and sewer for the areas off the 70 exits in order to attract new housing and business development. There are other areas in the county that would also be prime spots for expansion.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
The water and sewer are necessities for housing growth. We must make sure we having the zoning correct also. We must encourage investors to buy and improve our distressed home and to re-purpose our older commercial buildings. I have been remodeling these types of homes and getting them ready for home owners and am familiar with what this takes.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Strongly oppose
Oppose
Neither support nor oppose
Support
Strongly support
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
I believe success starts with family stability. Quality day care is a key component of the family. It would be a great benefit to parents and the community if it was more available and affordable. Having one parent stay at home is a loss of worksforce in the area as well as income for the family.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
Drug use has become an epidemic. It is a drain on our society in many ways. Recovery is extremely important as it puts someone's life back together and helps them become a productive part of our community. Greater access to recovery facilities here in Henry County is needed.
More funds should be spent on prevention. Communities, schools and health care need to be equipped with tools and resources to help prevent substance abuse. The end goal should be to prevent drug use before it begins.
Biographical Information
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
Roads and Bridges have always been a major challenge for Henry County. With over 800 miles of roads in the county we have significantly more than most counties, many of which are much larger. This is an issue that must be tackled at the state level. The funding is regulated from the state, though taxes and grants. When the gas tax was first introduced the county received a large portion of those funds, however the state has decided to continue to increase its portion and reduce what we receive. It is time to push the state to make those distributions much more equitable.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
As a current member of the Economic Development Commission, I push continually to find ways to help develop new AFFORDABLE housing. The state has offered new opportunities such as creating a TIFF to help incentivize the development of additional housing and we need to utilize that. I was disappointed that the County didn’t utilize some of the ARPA funds to incentivize a developer to build such a community. I made that suggestion to many of those on the committee, but it didn’t go anywhere. Not only would that have filled a significant need in additional affordable housing, it would have provided the county with long term tax revenue with all of the potential additional residents that would move here.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Strongly oppose
Oppose
Neither support nor oppose
Support
Strongly support
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
Childcare is something that I would love to say that the county could address, but with my experience in the general budget there is just no line item to place it. Childcare, I believe, could best be tackled by bring together local stakeholders including the county and city, local foundation, and the community as a whole. I believe it is also important to involve local major employers as they are impacted by this issue as well.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
As a kid who grew up in foster care because of parents with drug and alcohol additions I have a deep personal connection to this is epidemic. While on the council I pushed hard to ensure that JCAP, Jail Chemical Addiction Program, was a priority in the construction of the new jail. Fortunately, with the help of my colleagues we were able to make that happen. I am also currently working with a group working towards providing transitional housing for those coming out of those programs.
Biographical Information
Education
Ivy tech
Experience and qualifications
Numerous years leading a large Automotive dealership.
Community involvements
Henry county saddle club, 7 year Henry County Reserve Deputy, Dancing for Diamonds “Purvis Foundation”
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
1. Roads and bridge maintenance: Ensuring the maintenance and repair of existing roads and bridges to improve safety and accessibility for residents and businesses.
2. Broadband internet access: Enhancing broadband infrastructure to provide reliable and high-speed internet access to all areas of the county, promoting economic development and improving connectivity for residents.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
1. Advocate for affordable housing initiatives: Engage with local government officials, community organizations, and advocacy groups to support policies and programs that promote the development of affordable housing in Henry County
2. Support affordable housing developers: Research and identify developers who specialize in affordable housing projects. You can support their efforts by investing in their developments or assisting with fundraising campaigns to help finance affordable housing projects in the county.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Strongly oppose
Oppose
Neither support nor oppose
Support
Strongly support
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
Supporting county investment in child care is crucial for the well-being of families and the overall development of a community.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
We need to form coalitions and partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, community groups, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies to form coalitions or partnerships focused on addressing drug abuse and recovery. Together, we can present a united front and advocate for increased funding as a collective voice.
Biographical Information
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
Candidate has not yet responded.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Which infrastructure improvement is a top priority in the next years?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What actions, if any, should the county pursue to expand quality affordable housing?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Please indicate your level of support for the county investing in the development of quality childcare for working families.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about investing in childcare.
Candidate has not yet responded.
The county must Increase funding to address drug abuse and support recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you wish, expand on your answer to the previous question about increased funding to address drug abuse and recovery.
Candidate has not yet responded.