Five Republicans — Keely Butrum, Kent Fisk, Kirk Jocham, Robin Lowder and Ray Richardson — are running for the Republican nomination for three at-large seats on the Hancock County Council. The Daily Reporter asked all the candidates a series of questions about their qualifications. Each of their responses is posted in a separate story located under the “News” tab on our site.
The county council is the fiscal body for county government. What fiscal management background and experience makes you stand out as the best-qualified candidate for this position?
I can immediately step into the budgeting process, having done the legal work on it as the county attorney over many years. My mathematics minor from Purdue helps me work through the hundreds of pages of figures in the annual budget.
Raising taxes must stop. Searching for efficiencies must begin. In my 24 years in the state legislature, I was for many years the chairman of a committee that examined every single state agency for efficiencies. I also chaired a similar committee as an IU trustee. We can reduce taxes by doing that here.
What factors would you use to determine whether a company should be granted a tax abatement?
The company would have to show that the salaries of their employees will be high enough to make it worthy of receiving properrty tax breaks. No salary should be so low that an employee qualifies for welfare benefits.
What strategy should the county be using to attract well-paying jobs to our borders?
Twelve developers recently announced projects in Hancock County, so we are already attractive enough to allow us to be selective and take the best.
Name three things that the council can do to be sure the county stays on a firm financial footing.
Because of tax losses suffered as a result of this pandemic, we must carefully examine our expenses. My background, as I set out in question No. 1, qualifies me to do exactly that.
You have just learned that the county has received a $1 million grant to use as you see fit. How will you invest it?
Our courts have assembled one of the best teams in the state to work with those who are addicted to opioids, meth and heroin. The council has verbally supported treatment, but it has provided very few resources to work with. Let’s do this now, for ourselves as well as those addicted, since many addicts are paying for their drugs by stealing from us.
What should the council be doing to involve the public more in the council’s decision-making process?
About 10 years ago, the commissioners held a series of 12 monthly meetings in the evening, but that alone did not attract the public. I have seen some success elsewhere when the public is allotted time to speak at every meeting on any subject. I would try that.
