Candidate Statement
I wish to continue to serve the people of Hamilton County
Education
Noblesville schools, IVY tech
Occupational background
HVAC contractor
Political Office(s) Held in the Past
over 20 years on the Hamilton County Council
to continue to serve the people of hamilton county
Roads and bridges, public saftey
continue to improve public infrastructure
help make goverment less invasive
county council has only a limited role in this area
The county is already the main supporter of Hamilton County Express
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Candidate Statement
I have been endorsed by the Hamilton County Fraternal Order of Police #103; the Hamilton County Professional Firefighters Local 4416; OneZone Chamber of Commerce PAC; and MIBOR Realtors Political Action Committee.
Education
MBA, Anderson University. BA, Baldwin-Wallace University
Occupational background
18 Years in the Insurance Business in Underwriting Management and Commercial Insurance Sales. 15 years in Municipal Government primarily with Carmel Utilities. Currently serving in my first term as County Councilor At-Large
Political Office(s) Held in the Past
Current Hamilton County Council At-Large
I am running for re-election as I plan to continue the work that I have given to the position of County Councilor At-Large serving our residents. I have lived in Hamilton County for 36 years and I have seen the tremendous growth and economic success that we have achieved. This growth must be managed properly so we continue to have vital commerce, community amenities and low taxes.
This means making pragmatic decisions about traffic management, public safety, economic development, and other amenities that keep our communities among the best to live in the nation. I am committed to keeping our quality of life high and property taxes low. I have the education, business, and government experience to help guide our County and support the initiatives that make sense for us.
Hamilton County continues to grow at a record rate. Managing that growth so it is smart and measured is key in continuing to provide the outstanding services and amenities that our County is known for. This requires being proactive with the infrastructure investment and collaborating with our local governmental entities in planning for our growth.
During my first term in office, Hamilton County achieved a AAA bond rating. We are the only County in the State of Indiana to do so. This came with a balance of sufficient account reserves, responsible debt levels and having a proactive strategic plan for our spending and borrowing. I am committed to invest our county financial resources so that we can meet the needs of our growing communities and continue and advance the quality of life that makes Hamilton County a desirable place to live and work. Businesses want to be in communities that are good places to live and who are financially well-managed.
The elected officials and department heads at Hamilton County continuously look for ways to improve efficiencies in our operations. We make the necessary investments in new software and equipment to keep us at the forefront of county governments.
The County Councilors and Commissioners have a not-for-profit grant program where we contribute over $850,000 annually to organizations that serve our residents. I have served as chair of that process for the past three years. While we have our non-profit grant program, the Township Trustee’s offices fulfill the local government role of poor relief and public assistance. Individuals who have been residents of our townships before they became homeless can receive assistance from the Township Trustees and the non-government agencies that the County supports.
Affordable and attainable housing is one of our greatest challenges. There is currently a housing collaborative of over 40 leaders from all aspects of our community who are working on innovative ways to deal with our housing issue. We at the County can work on alternative ways to meet our housing affordability needs of our residents. As a County Councilor I pledge to support initiatives that make living and retiring in Hamilton County affordable with a low tax rate.
The public transportation system that currently exists is Hamilton County Express (HCE). It is an on-demand system that has grown over the past several years. HCE is funded by Federal and County tax dollars and to a limited extent, user fees.
I am deeply committed to serving & improving our community. Throughout my career as a prosecutor & judge, I have witnessed the importance of effective governance in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. My motivation stems from a desire to continue making a positive impact on Hamilton County, leveraging my extensive experience & leadership skills to address key issues facing our community.
With over four decades of experience in public service, including serving as Prosecuting Attorney and Judge in Hamilton County, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role. I have a proven track record of leadership, having successfully led initiatives such as the establishment of the Youth Assistance Program and Victim Assistance in Hamilton County. My involvement in various committees and organizations, including the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan for Hamilton County, demonstrates my dedication to addressing critical issues such as mental health and public safety.
One of my significant initiatives is to finalize the county’s comprehensive response to behavioral health with an Assessment Center. This center will enhance our assessment capabilities, enabling more accurate diagnoses, the development of effective treatment plans for individuals, and ensuring proper care is delivered. Further, as the only county in Indiana with a AAA bond rating, we must continue to review all of the budgetary factors so as to retain our status, thus reducing costs to taxpayers. We must continue to work with all of the governmental officials and citizens to be sure that we continue to provide needed services now and in the future.
As a County Councilman, my approach to fiscal responsibility revolves around transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management. I prioritize thorough evaluations of budgets & expenditures, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively. This involves scrutinizing each line item and prioritizing investments with the greatest community impact while maintaining a balanced budget and minimizing unnecessary debt. Collaboration among elected officeholders, private and nonprofit agencies, and citizens is key to identifying cost-saving opportunities and maximizing efficiency. I am committed to maintaining our county’s AAA bond rating and maintaining reserves, such as our $50M rainy day fund, to safeguard against economic uncertainty.
I believe in fostering open lines of communication and cooperation to ensure that our efforts are aligned and complementary. By working together proactively, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to tackle complex issues such as infrastructure development, economic growth, and community services. I am committed to promoting a culture of mutual respect and collaboration among all county, city, town, and township officials recognizing that our shared goal is to serve the best interests of Hamilton County residents.
When looking at homelessness of individuals and families in Hamilton County we must take a comprehensive approach to be able to truly help. We must include the Township Trustees and various not-for-profit organizations who serve the homeless for any plan to properly serve. We must be sure that, in addition to emergency needs being met, we must be committed to also including such items as prevention, life skills, financial training, educational and career training, and behavioral health services. With this approach, we help individuals proceed from transitional to permanent housing. I am committed to help preserve the stability of individuals and families so we may also help preserve the stability of our communities and county.
Concerning affordable housing for the county, we know that there is an increasing need to provide such housing and transportation so that we can satisfy our county's businesses with individuals who can work and satisfy the increasing need for services from our citizens. Our county must develop a system that not only satisfies the business needs, but also satisfies the needs of the individuals for additional educational and career training so that each individual may reach their highest potential. I am working with groups such as Hamilton County Express and Invest Hamilton County to develop a plan to address these present needs and future issues.
