The financial powers of a county are placed with the county council, which serves as a check on the board of commissioners and board of finance. For election purposes, each county is divided into four districts, with one council member elected from each district and three members elected at large resulting in a seven-member council each elected for four-year staggered terms. Powers and duties are numerous including the following:· Approving and fixing annual operating budgets of all county departments· Authorizing the borrowing of money in the form of bonds and notes· Authorizing the expenditure of public funds for specific purposes· Establishing salaries and other compensation· Fiscal affairs· Fixing tax rates and levies· Setting priorities for the allocation of public fundsTerm: 4 years
Education
Certificate in Leadership from Purdue
Experience in Leadership and Management
5 years of Team Leader at SIA
I would be pushing to modernize the council by utilizing new technologies to help us balance the budget. For example, many of the largest companies in the world utilize A.I. to quickly review large amounts of applicants. A.I. will flag good potential candidates for the job that would then receive human eyes to review. Something like this could be done with our budget. Review where the largest amount of money is being spent with the fewest amount of benefit and we could begin cutting those from the budget. Currently the council is outsourcing this duty to an out of town firm, costing the tax payers more money.
We have to be smart about who receives tax payers funds. Now that we will be experiencing a budget shortfall due to reduced property taxes, its important to cut spending so that tax payers do not see an increase in taxes elsewhere to make up for it. We need to require metrics on how the money has or will be spent. We need to meet with department heads to ensure funds are being spent responsibly. Businesses and people will continue to come if taxes are low and revenues are not being wasted.
I would push for the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commision and the Board of Commisioners to expand the R1C to more locations. This successfully created more housing by loosening the requirements to build houses, while making it more affordable to build. Streamlining zoning and rezoning areas will also improve this. I do not believe the answer is to throw money into low income areas already receiving federal and state money, or giving money to assist renters. The free market will take care of high ask rent.
Campaign Phone
765-426-2748
As we look at the next county budget, our top priority will be to maintain financial stability amid growing uncertainty, especially given the impacts of SB-1 on future revenues. We need to continue prioritizing essential county services and critical infrastructure. We also need to continue to take a conservative and strategic approach to revenue and spending SB-1 places constraints on revenue growth, so we must be intentional about new commitments, avoid overextending the budget, and focus on long-term sustainability. We also need to maintain strong cash reserves. Having these reserves helps us manage economic shifts with the hope that the impact on taxpayers is minimal.
Since the Council is the county's fiscal agent, we need to continue to have disciplined, long-term financial planning that aligns new development with multi-year capital improvement plans for roads, public safety, and other infrastructure. The council should continue to work closely with both Lafayette and West Lafayette to align on the need for increased housing and commercial growth. With economic growth, requests for incentives from larger companies also come. So, we need to ensure that growth pays for growth where appropriate by carefully evaluating the return on investment when deciding whether to approve incentives such as tax abatements and others.
As the county continues to grow, housing availability remains one of the largest challenges. Although the Council does not directly control housing development decisions, we do have the role, as the fiscal body, to create financial conditions that support smart, sustainable housing growth. The Council can ensure that the budget and capital planning align with the future growth areas. The Council also maintains strong partnerships with the City of Lafayette and West Lafayette and supports their housing initiatives.
