Five Republicans — Keely Butrum, Kent Fisk, Kirk Jocham, Robin Lowder and Ray Richardson — are running for 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?
Experience counts, especially when you are in charge of handling tax dollars. I have a lot of fiscal management experience starting with my management degree from Ball State. Once out of college, I became an officer in our family business and started a management role in operating our company, which today I own and operate still. I was also elected to the Greenfield-Central School Board three times and served 10 years directly involved in the finances of the school. But the experience that sets me apart of all the other candidates is that I have been on the Hancock County Council for the past eight years. I am the only councilman at-large who is seeking re-election.
What factors would you use to determine whether a company should be granted a tax abatement?
All factors are considered when a company is seeking tax abatement. Amount of new jobs, such as, skilled, unskilled and administrative are considered. Additionally, wages are an important consideration. We are always trying to attract higher-paying jobs to our area. Another important consideration is the amount of traffic the new company will add to the area. Traffic congestion problems and interstate access for big trucks has to be addressed before final decisions are made.
What strategy should the county be using to attract well-paying jobs to our borders?
One important factor in attracting companies that have higher-paying jobs is having a workforce available to fill those jobs, so we must try to maintain a quality of life that encourages people to live in our county. Investments in safety, education, amenities, entertainment and recreation are all important factors that constantly have to be updated, enhanced and added to.
Name three things that the council can do to be sure the county stays on a firm financial footing.
1. Roads play a vital role in quality of life and attracting new people and companies to live here. We need a certain amount of growth to maintain a strong tax base while keeping taxes low for everyone. The council can continue to funnel additional money above the average road repair and paving budget.
2. Maintaining an appropriate Rainy Day fund for emergencies. Recessions and epidemics can soften the loss of tax revenue for a little while.
3. Balancing our budget every year is the third and most important thing the council can do to keep the county in the black; every year I have been on the council, this has been top priority, and we have been successful for the eight years I have served.
You have just learned that the county has received a $1 million grant to use as you see fit. How will you invest it?
This is a timely question, because if we just received a $1 million dollar grant that we can use at our discretion. I would put it in the Rainy Day fund. We are estimating a 20% to 30% drop in tax revenue next year due to the coronavirus epidemic trashing our economy. Income taxes will be down and tax revenue will be late coming in as our economy tries to recover.
What should the council be doing to involve the public more in the council’s decision-making process?
The Council meetings are public, and all council members’ contact information is public. There are a lot of options if someone has an issue to get that issue addressed. I believe the system we function under was created with the public in mind, all the way from the election to the Open Door Law and how our meetings are advertised, etc.
