Meet the 7 candidates for 3 Boone County Council seats
Apr. 29—No Democrats are seeking major offices in the Boone County Primary Election on May 7, but there are four Republican races.
The Lebanon Reporter sent questionaires to each candidate in contested races. Today's installment includes seven candidates for three at-large Boone County Council seats is the final of three stories.
Results for the Boone County Auditor's office published on Tuesday. And those for two at-large Boone County Commissioners seats published Thursday.
Incumbents elected via caucus last year hold the three seats. They are Shari Richey of Zionsville, Dan Lamar of Lebanon and Ken Hedge of Lebanon. Each seeks re-election to a first full term in the office.
Their rivals are Brian Kirschbaum of Lebanon, Dustin Plunkett of Jamestown, Michael Broach of Lebanon and Timothy Cramer of Whitestown.
Candidates' responses to the questions are listed in alphabetic order.
1. What are the most pressing challenges facing the Boone County Council during the next term and why?
Broach: Budgeting for the massive, forced growth that we are projected to see here in Boone County.
Cramer: The power of NO is the most pressing challenge our county, state and country are facing currently. For too long, too many of our elected officials have lacked the backbone or courage to stand up and say NO.
No to new taxes. No to new spending. No to the encroachment of local, state, and federal government in our daily lives. Government works best when The People don't feel their way of life is being threatened by government overreach. The LEAP project is the perfect example of this overreach.
Hedge: The most pressing challenges facing the Boone County Council during the next term include managing budget constraints amidst evolving community needs, addressing infrastructure maintenance and development, promoting economic growth and job creation, and ensuring effective essential services like public safety. These challenges are crucial as they directly impact the quality of life for residents and the overall prosperity of the county.
Kirschbaum: The biggest challenge facing the council is having the courage to push for lower taxes. When I speak with residents, especially senior citizens, the number one complaint is rising property taxes. Indiana has seen unrelenting tax increases since COVID-19, it's time leaders take a proactive step to alleviate the issue. I will not vote for new taxes and I've committed to pursuing a 10% reduction in county property taxes over the term.
Lamar: The rapid growth of Boone County will challenge every sector of our government and infrastructure. Everything from hiring additional Sheriff Department staff to upgrading our roads will need to be addressed. While this growth will provide some property tax relief, as Boone County councilors we need to ensure these additional costs due to development are covered mainly by the developers. I will work to support diligent budgeting without compromising effectiveness and efficiency in Boone County government operations.
Plunkett: The most pressing challenge as I see in the next term facing the council is budgeting for the rapid growth and the growing pains that come with that growth. We need to be proactive and not reactive.
Richey: Boone County is experiencing explosive growth, especially with regard to the LEAP project. We must have leaders in every position who have an "all hands on deck" mentality to effectively and prudently manage the growth without losing the heart and soul of our county. As the fiscal body for the county, the Council must efficiently steward the new revenues and expenses that emerge from any and all new development. In addition, it is critical that we work together with the county commissioners and our police, fire and safety officials to effectively plan for the county's short-term and long-term needs including but not limited to infrastructure improvements, public safety, and many other services.
2: Commissioners are assessing the county's long-term building and fiscal needs. Commissioners may request changes, but the council must fund, and may reject them. How do you think council members should, or should not, be involved in the process before funds are requested?
Broach: The council should be involved and there should be two-way communication so that there is not a repeat of the jail expansion. The lack of communication caused delays that unnecessarily added to the amount of the project's costs. I plan to visit the existing facilities to better understand what the county has versus projections of what is needed.
Cramer: The county council MUST be involved every step of the way in the funding process. Our commissioners must be aware of where the council stands prior to making impactful and unpopular financial decisions for the county. From the outside it appears our elected officials move from one "emergency" to another. Everything has to be done now, or we'll all suffer some sort of negative consequence. I've owned and operated a successful national advertising agency for the last 30 years. Our growth and success is based on not having "emergencies." The council must be informed and engaged from the beginning of the process to ensure these "emergencies" don't result in bad decision-making based on politically manufactured urgency.
Hedge: Council members should be actively involved in the assessment of the county's long-term building and fiscal needs from the outset. The commissioners should collaborate with all members to thoroughly evaluate proposals, ensuring they align with the county's priorities and financial capabilities. It's essential for council members to have a comprehensive understanding of proposed changes before funds are requested to make informed decisions and avoid potential fiscal strain on the county. Open communication and transparency between commissioners and council members throughout the process are key for effective governance and responsible allocation of taxpayer dollars.
Kirschbaum: I believe the council needs to be very involved in determining long-term building and fiscal needs. After listening to the consultant's presentation, I am very concerned about why the county is stuck pushing such an aggressive timeline. We can't change the inaction in the past, but we need forward-thinking leaders who are anticipating potential problems, not in a perpetual state of reaction. This issue needs additional oversight, we are already behind where we should be.
Lamar: Transparency in government budgeting is important. Without it the council is not able to be effective. The commissioners and the council must work closely together in identifying long-term needs which allows the council to project future financial spending. Both groups recently met to address the vision that the commissioners have for Boone County.
Plunkett: As the fiscal body of the county we must be responsible in how we distribute the funds of the county. The more communication we have with the commissioners through that process the better.
Richey: Generally, I believe it is best when the council and the commissioners are both apprised and involved in the assessments and discussions surrounding the county's long-term needs. At this time, our commissioners and our council members communicate often on many of the county's pressing issues, as well as future needs. While our responsibilities are markedly different, both bodies have a shared vision of doing the very best that we can for each resident in the county. We serve on committees jointly, we attend each other's meetings, and we converse on a number of topics. While we don't always agree on various issues, it is my belief that healthy dialogue between the council and the Ccmmissioners is best for the county and its residents.
3. What funding challenges do you see coming with a tough national economy at the same time that unprecedented commercial and residential growth are predicted for the county? And how do you think those challenges should be handled?
Broach: Funding challenges will be vast due to costs continuing to rise. Government will need to adjust and make cuts, just like people do in their own lives when economic conditions change.
Cramer: I'm not sure where it's been reported the commercial and residential growth is booming in the U.S. The indicators I'm following are predicting just the opposite. One of the major challenges we're facing today is the massive increase over the last four years in our foreclosure rates. I'm far more concerned about dropping tax revenues as more and more Americans and Boone County residents slow their spending as the economy contracts. If these predictions come to fruition, it will prove to be disastrous for the county. As Conservatives we must financially prepare the county for the rainy days we have ahead and heed the fiscal lessons learned during the pandemic of 2020 and 2021.
Hedge: The funding challenges arising from a tough national economy amid predicted growth in Boone County pose a complex scenario. To address this, prioritizing fiscal responsibility, exploring innovative revenue streams like public-private partnerships, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources to support infrastructure and essential services will be vital. Additionally, proactive budget planning and collaboration with stakeholders can help navigate these challenges effectively.
Kirschbaum: Funding is up because taxes are up. Boone County would be best served by diversifying its tax streams. This includes attracting new-age businesses and allowing intelligent suburban-style growth. Unemployment and U.S. GDP indicate the economy is doing well, but what has been a struggle is tackling inflation, especially in housing and consumer goods. Housing options and housing affordability are key areas of focus for me. We need to work with municipalities to create effective zoning for the expansion of housing options. The county should be pushing what's called "Missing Middle Housing," which is a range of house-scale buildings with multiple units — compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes — located in a walkable neighborhood.
Lamar: The council's primary responsibility is to prioritize county needs and be prepared to fund them. Federal and or State assistance is never guaranteed. If it's not available, we should be prepared to put the project on hold until we are able to realistically fund it with Boone County tax dollars. As a councilor, it is my responsibility to oversee responsible budgeting that maintains Boone County government effectiveness in the face of our rapid growth. I support living within our means to keep Boone County financially sound.
Plunkett: The biggest funding challenges I see as we are experiencing rapid commercial and residential growth in the county is our public services and infrastructure. As the county is growing we need to be fiscally responsible. We need to work closely with those agencies and departments to make sure we have the same goal and that is the success of Boone County.
Richey: The county council has faced various funding challenges for years. Many counties, including ours, are currently experiencing funding shortfalls due to declines in revenue from traditional sources (ie, more EV's on the road resulting in less gas tax collected, etc). The financial strain has been compounded by the rising costs of materials and labor from the inflation of the past three years. Funding for our highways, roads and bridges continues to be one of the biggest hurdles we face as a council. We must continue to seek additional state funding solutions that are sustainable to ensure that we can meet the needs of our residents effectively.
Similarly, rising assessed values are continuing to increase our property tax bills at an alarming rate. While inflation and a seller's market will eventually cool, we cannot sit still and wait. The council must continue to lobby our legislators for increasing exemption and deduction relief for taxpayers. At this time, we are in the process of completing a strategic plan which will assist us in prioritizing
4. How are you uniquely qualified for the job?
Broach: I am uniquely qualified to challenge the status quo and advocate for change as an outsider untainted by the influences of the political machine. Driven by determination and passion, I pledge to be a fresh voice, steadfastly refusing to rubber stamp everything that comes my way, ensuring accountability, integrity, and transparency. I have 20 plus years of budget management experience in the transportation industry and am ready to put these skills to work on day one.
Cramer: Most people will answer this question by lamenting about their successes. However, success in the private sector does not transfer into the public sector. The dynamics are completely different. As the owner of a successful advertising agency, I had the freedom to move at my pace. I will not have these same freedoms in the public sector. I will have to work within the political machine if I have any hope of making the machine operate better and more efficiently for The People. With that said, I'm a Constitutional Conservative. I'm a firm believer in being a Representative of the People, not their overseer. The job of a public servant is to deliver the best services possible to the public, without infringing on rights or freedoms. Understanding what our Founding Fathers had in mind for this country back in the 1770s is what guides me today. That's what makes me uniquely qualified for this position. I don't have any personal agendas or axes to grind. I'm running to serve.
Hedge: As a current member of the Boone County Council and former county surveyor, I bring a wealth of experience and firsthand knowledge to the table. My tenure as county surveyor required collaboration with corporations and citizens alike on development projects, demonstrating my ability to balance the interests of various stakeholders while ensuring responsible growth. Additionally, my extensive involvement in community volunteering has provided me with a deep understanding of local needs and priorities. Combined with my background in a family owned business, these experiences uniquely qualify me to continue serving effectively on the Boone County Council, advocating for the best interests of our community.
Kirschbaum: The variety in my professional experience should be a unique asset to this role. I've worked as a software engineer, financial/operations analyst, and data developer. In a county that is seeing so much change, we need professionals who are data-oriented and can see emerging trends; I think my experience fits the bill. Last but not least, I'm running as a Moderate Conservative. I can't stand the current political polarization, I want to show that moderate stances on issues can work in local politics.
Lamar: I am a lifelong resident of Boone County, owning Lamar & Lamar Insurance with offices in Lebanon, Zionsville, Jamestown and North Salem; which gives me a unique county-wide perspective of our people and communities. I have served on numerous county organizations and charities, including the Lebanon Utilities Service Board for 13 years, with three years as president. The skill set I have acquired through my business and public service experiences are valuable assets for a councilor. Most importantly, I believe in Boone County and want to do my part in preserving the great qualities of our county as we grow into the future. I am proud to serve as a Boone County Councilor and would appreciate your vote for Dan Lamar for Boone County Council.
Visit my website at www.danlamarforboonecountycouncil.com for more information on Dan Lamar.
Plunkett: I have been blessed to have been born and raised in this great county that we all love. As a landowner and a homeowner, I understand the impact of our raising property values and the taxes that go along with that. As a local small business owner I understand the importance of keeping the checks and balances.
Richey: The council is the fiscal body for the county, including establishing and approving the annual operating budget and appropriating funds. I spent my professional career as a CPA and partner at Ernst & Young, so my finance and accounting expertise has been very valuable to the council. Of the seven members on the council, I am the only one with this experience. Additionally, I spent eight years serving on the Zionsville School Board so my prior public service and my in-depth knowledge of municipal finance has also been highly impactful.