Members of the county council are elected to serve staggered four-year terms. Three council members at large are elected by the voters of the entire county. Four council members are elected from separate districts, chosen by the voters of their district alone. Council districts must be redrawn every 10 years and may be done in any odd-numbered year.The financial powers of a county are placed in the county council, which serves as a check on the Board of Commissioners and Board of Finance.The County Council has fiscal control over all county officers, boards and commissions and appropriates funds used by the county and its officers. Powers and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:· Approving annual operating budgets of all county offices and agencies, including establishing salaries and other compensation· Fixing property tax rates, establishing levies, establishing rates for the county adjusted gross income tax (CAGIT); county option income tax (COIT), county economic development income tax (CEDIT), excise surtax and wheel tax· Authorizing the borrowing of money through bonds or notes· Authorizing purchase or sale of certain county property· Making appropriations of public funds
Campaign Phone
317-885-7337
Education Background
Wabash College A.B. University of Nebraska-Omaha MA Educational Psychology
Occupation
Business Owner
1. With my psychology background I am able to listen and mostly understand what people are concerned about. I pride myself in being able to relate to most people of any background or belief and make them feel that I have heard their concerns.
2. Over 30 years experience in the administration of several companies, the latest being a multimillion dollar In Home Care business with over 60 employees.
3. I am very involved in the local health conditions of the residents of Brown County.
With a multimillion dollar budget it is imperative oversight of the expenditures be treated seriously by the Council.
The high costs of health care, and housing need constant attention.
I would like to see how we can encourage more businesses that offer good employment benefits in the county.
I need more information about this but I would say water, sewers and internet are high priorities. This is where the challenge of stretching the multimillion dollar tax budget in ways that fund many of these needs. Accepting the way things have always been is my third response to the budgeting process.
Regular conversations with as many people as are available and interested in sharing concerns. Among the ones I can think of are department employees, church leaders and participation in community meetings of all types.
Habitat for Humanity is the first thing that comes to mind and should be supported. Their impact unfortunately is limited. I would like to see more subsidized housing and new policies on house sizes and lots that would encourage new homeowners.
Campaign Phone
812-360-8649
Education Background
Degrees in Chemistry and Finance. Advanced course in Accounting, Economics, and Operations Management
Occupation
Retired Financial Leader CPA CMA
My career as a CMA/CPA/ISO Lead Auditor/ and Six Sigma leader will help contribute specific/technical skills needed by the group. Most of my career was spent fixing poor systems installs, putting in reporting, analyzing cost, supporting planning and Internal controls.
In October, the county's bond rating went down, which will cause more expense when we need to borrow. The 2025 and 2026 audits are of special concern. Over the last decade +, Brown County Audits have consistently had internal control deficiencies.
The purpose of internal controls is to:
Ensure the integrity, reliability, and accuracy of financial and
operational information, safeguard assets and protect against fraud. My experience fits.
The more opportunities we give young people to explore, the better our community’s long-term wellbeing. Early access to sports changed my life and learning. French changed my daughters’ lives.
Brown County offers less youth programs and experiences. French is no longer offered. I am watching youth go to other counties for youth sports. Once there, they form bonds that are not easily broken.
I believe we have 1,500 students with approximately 500 opting out and going to other schools.
Should we not specifically target enhancing our youth programs especially since $7,000 Per or ($3.5 Million) of education funding follows them? The County needs to better partner with the school.
Our home is 12 minutes from a fire station. It took 47 minutes before a fire resource was on site '24. In '25 I had an emergency in another town. If I had been at home, the 35-minute difference would have doomed my recovery.
While the gatekeeper fee will help state forest counties, they do not experience the 200 visitors to 1 taxpayer potential serge we experience.
Our volunteers have employment; one cannot guarantee that stations will be staffed especially during the day. Volunteer FD are a Godsend. Create a funding Budget based on Volunteer input.
Government options: Safety Survey, direct State support, change IC to redirect current funs sources, improve efficiency in other areas transfer funds, or prioritize budget.
The state of Indiana recommends that at the start of every budget year the Council have a public listening session.
The commissioners and councilors are working on better operations planning for each department with clear goals, result analysis and financial reporting.
When goals and financial results are clear the public will have a better understanding and can help direct the council on improving our home.
This is not my area of expertise however I can help crunch numbers.
Infrastructure is a known issue. We took the day to travel the county; we looked for areas that might be flat enough as to not drive infrastructure to an unreasonable level.
The reality is many people would not be fully happy with expansion near them however there are large flat spaces spread around. The first question is where and the second is how the infrastructure cost is managed. Third relates to mixture of structures and finally, the cost for residents.
A bit of brainstorming would be fun and may yield out of the box alternatives that may be interesting.
