Meet the candidates looking to fill Boone County Commissioners seats

Apr. 24—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 and will publish the remaining answers today and Saturday. Answers from Boone County Auditor Debbie Morton-Crum and adversary Harold 'Huck' Lewis published on Tuesday.

Boone County Commissioners

Two at-large Boone County Commissioners seats are up for re-election.

Commissioners President Don Lawson of Thorntown hopes to protect his District 2 seat from challenger Cory Kutz of Lebanon.

And Commissioner Jeff Wolfe of Lebanon is opposed in District 3 by Scott Pell and Barry Dircks, both also of Lebanon.

What are the most pressing challenges facing commissioners during the next term and why?

Kutz: The next 4 years are critical for Boone County. After 15 years of being neglected, updating the comprehensive plan as well as revising zoning ordinances to prepare for and control the surge of growth headed our way. It is also imperative to focus on infrastructure improvements as well as upgrading county technology to increase efficiency. The surge of illegal immigrants at the border has caused crime waves in other communities and our county will not be immune. Law enforcement should be encouraged to adopt new techniques, procedures, and technology to keep our citizens safe.

Lawson: Local government has a definitive impact on our quality of life. The most pressing challenge (as always) is funding the citizen needs with a balanced budget while keeping taxes low. Next, is regaining our Boone County quality of life with transparency and collaboration. A new comprehensive plan is needed. I will work to create input opportunities for all citizens. Everyone will have a chance to contribute. Finding a new balance between the state, county and city officials will be critical. Focusing on our everyday responsibilities as elected officials can help. Commissioners are responsible for the implementation of the council's budget. Daily operations, coordination with other elected officials, overseeing of employee needs, maintenance of county assets (buildings, roads, bridges and equipment), securing and implementing all contracts, addressing constituent issues, planning for future county needs and growth, and keeping constituents informed. I will continue to engage with citizens who have questions or concerns. As the population of our county has expanded, so has the role of a commissioner.

Boone County is a great place to live. We must strive daily to adjust and prepare to maintain our quality of life.

Dircks: The excessive, fast-paced, and ill-conceived growth is the main challenge. Many citizens feel their interests have not been and are not being properly protected.

Pell: There is no simple answer. We need to control the tax burden. We currently have two of the largest tax increases in Boone County history. 2016 public safety local option income tax (PSLOIT) and 2021 was for the Justice Center which is currently being built.

This February the commissioners had a meeting proposing that needed to act within the next five years on the following;

A. A new EMA/EOC/911 center. $22,133,719. Add 10% site development.

B. A new property and building for the County Highway Department to move to. This is a minimum of 30 acres with a new facility. This cost is $18,368,625. Add 10% development.

C. A new courthouse to the tune of $98,580,307. Add 10% site development.

D. Build a new government complex. $35,892,261. Add 10% site development.

****The numbers provided are from K2M consulting firm.

These items are certainly going to force another huge tax increase. I realize Boone County is growing, but we can't continue to tax today and pay tomorrow. Boone County is growing, and we can't stop it, but we can control it. Let's slow down and take growth one step at a time. We cannot sustain this break neck style of spending. Sometimes we have to say no.

Wolfe: 1. Developing long-term plans for several aspects of local government. Planning for the future of our road system, including bridges and small structures, our facilities and working on updating our County Comprehensive Plan. I have stated many times in public meetings, the best way to guarantee poor results is to fail to plan. We must have written 5-, 10- and 20-year plans so that the tax dollars are spent in the most efficient and prudent ways. Having a reaction-based process is very costly. With these plans we can effectively work with our county council and with state and federal funding sources to continue to meet the needs of the county.

2. Working with local agencies and state resources to provide for the mental health needs of our citizens. This includes the completion and implementation of the additions to our Justice Center. Mental Health treatment is a priority of our current Justice Center expansion project and I believe it is making a difference in our community with the potential to greatly affect, in a positive way, our recidivism rate. The addition of a modern facility for our Coroner to operate is a big part of this expansion and will allow the proper respectful treatment of deceased individuals and in particular their family members who are suffering one of the worst days of their lives. Providing privacy and compassion to allow for them to process the situation is paramount. Having been through this process, my family knows first-hand how important this is. The facility will also allow for the best possible environment to protect "chain of custody" for evidence during investigations.

3. Providing a safe and positive environment for our county employees with an effective benefit package and competitive compensation. Maintaining a strong employee base is paramount to providing the citizens of Boone County with efficient and effective services.

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. What roles should commissioners and council members play together, or separately, during the assessment and planning phases before funding is requested?

Lawson: Commissioners and Council Members are to work closely together but definitely have separate roles and responsibilities. Much like a business owner and their managers, the council should focus and fund current needs while planning for the future. The commissioners assist in planning, create implementation strategies, inform the council of progress, and accomplish the needs inside the budget.

Kutz: Without collaboration, we will continue to see the clash of recent years between the commissioners and council. Just like personal relationships, there has to be trust and open dialogue from both sides before a significant decision is made. I believe the county should create a working group including Commissioners, the County Council, and County officials to evaluate needs. Facilities are only one piece of the equation, all options including hybrid work, upgraded technology, and other options must be considered. Expecting the County Council to write a blank check for a project they have not been included or engaged in is unrealistic and confrontational. That type of leadership must stop.

Pell: This is a critical issue that we need to repair within our government at all levels. We need to stop pointing fingers and working against each other. The city, county and towns all need to communicate so we can unite to work together to reach common goals. Mending these fences will hopefully create a better environment for all. The county council and commissioners should work seamlessly together, not necessarily agreeing on all subjects, but, being respectful and understanding of each others' roles in government. Communication between the two bodies are critical for success.

Wolfe: The commissioners recently completed a facilities study which included an analysis of all our existing buildings, the space and offices within, and the external factors such as parking and access. The commissioners invited the county council to be a part of that study, and the former council president, Elise Nieshalla, participated in an interview with K2M who performed the study. This gives us a framework which includes the current and future needs of the county offices. This was presented in a public meeting with the council having been sent the material prior to the event. The county council is currently working on a long-term financial plan which will include the results of the facility study. This is how the council and commissioners should approach this type of issue. Now we can move forward together to form a long-term plan for space and financial commitments.

Dircks: The commissioners and council members should work together to assess the citizens' needs, especially our most vulnerable citizens, rather than the county's building needs. They should also work together to eliminate wasteful spending.

Where do you stand on land conservation vs. development in unincorporated portions of the county in and out of the LEAP Lebanon Research and Innovation District?

Kutz: Development and change is part of life and the county must do more to manage transition. Short-sighted zoning standards aimed at protecting farmland at all costs unintentionally allowed LEAP to happen. Overly restrictive land use will inevitably lead to higher taxes and drive away hope and opportunity for future generations. It is now arriving at a record pace and we are ill equipped to respond with current leadership. Boone County is uniquely situated just off of the Crossroads of America, 35 minutes to anywhere you would want to go, close to a major research university, and easy access to international air travel. Leadership must act now to manage responsible growth near transportation corridors, but also place firm boundaries to protect rural unincorporated Boone County. Compromise and collaboration will be key these next four years. It is no longer possible to keep all growth out, so we must scrutinize all proposals and only accept what is high value for Boone County's future prosperity and quality of life.

Lawson: Whether we are choosing sites for animal agriculture, new energy technology or industrial projects, strategic site selection is critical to long term success and reduced negative community impacts. I believe in home and landowner property rights. Boone County has a vigorous zoning history.

We have worked to protect all landowners from conflicting uses. We recognize the importance of preserving our rich agricultural lands and understand that once developed for some other purpose, it will forever be out of our food and fiber system. I will continue to work with land and home owners to find a balance between growth and property rights.

Wolfe: I have been vocal from the beginning that I do not agree with using tax dollars for development of land for economic development purposes. One of the greatest challenges we face today is controlling growth in such a way that protects the quality of life for the citizens of both the urban and rural areas of the county. We must also keep in mind the future economic health of our county. This is why I suggested we pursue the recently adopted Overlay District which will give the future planning environment of the county an effective toolbox for controlling sprawl into the unincorporated areas. This is also a great first step toward updating our County Comprehensive Plan. Our comprehensive plan has not been updated in many years and it is important that we recognize in that plan the changes that have occurred in the county and the future expectations of growth.

Dircks: I fervently support land conservation. I will work to protect all Hoosiers' land and water rights. I am against solar and wind farms and support a permanent moratorium. I am also against carbon sequestration.

Pell: Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of saying I am for or against LEAP. It is here and we need to move forward the best way possible to reap any and all benefits from it. I feel controlled growth is good for the county. Eli Lilly is a monster company that works well with the communities they are connected with. I feel horrible for the folks negatively effected by this development, but many of the citizens benefited greatly from it. We can't place blame on farmers that want to sell property for a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The LEAP district is carved out and different businesses are coming, let's work in good faith and a firm but fair hand. We need to work together to bring in the very best businesses that will return dividends to our future generations.

I do not agree with the IEDC buying property, we can't stop property owners from voluntarily selling land. That is not the principles that we live by. Preservation of our land is very important, and we need to encourage the farmers in our community to keep the tradition going.

How are you uniquely qualified for the job?

Lawson: I am a lifelong resident of Boone County and graduate of Western Boone and Purdue University. I currently serve as the president of the Boone County Board of Commissioners. My experience as a commissioner, businessman, farmer, board member of various nonprofit organizations, community volunteer, and a family man makes me uniquely qualified to continue to represent your voice.

Kutz: These next four years have the potential to shape the next 50 years of Boone County. My life experiences have prepared me to stay focused on the large opportunities for improvement while also managing the day to day that cannot fall behind. I also have a deep understanding of economic development and government finance that positions me well for the Commissioner role. Couple those experiences with my love of community as shown in my community and board involvement, and I am uniquely positioned to excel as the next Boone County Commissioner.

Dircks: I am not a member of the Boone County political establishment. I am a small business owner who will put the needs of our citizens above the desires of government.

Pell: I have never claimed to be a politician, nor do I want to be. However, the principals instilled in me from my parents to help when you can, or give back to your community or just being a good neighbor drive me to want to give back. I am not afraid to make the hard decisions and feel as though I can work with diverse groups to achieve commons goals. My 30+ years working for a county office gives me insight to how our systems works. Relationships are strained and some fences need mended, so to speak, and I feel I can work to repair some strained relationships. If given the opportunity to serve as your District 3 Commissioner, I will work hard to keep taxes down while providing the best service from our county possible. Let's work together to lower our tax burden and help our county flourish for the next generations.

Wolfe: Experience sets me apart, along with my knowledge of how our local government works. I have, after many years serving as commissioner, developed a thorough understanding of how things are done as well as an extensive knowledge of our tax system and how it affects every resident. I also spent many years prior to being a commissioner chairing the Property Tax Board of Appeals. This board is the mechanism that allows citizens to bring concerns about their assessed values and the accuracy of the information in the assessment. I am very proud that I was able, in that process, to help many taxpayers.

Also, I am a local business owner who has a made a career based solely on my integrity and commitment to quality work for my clients. As a Real Estate Appraiser for over 32 years, I am engaged to give honest and accurate opinions of value based on non-biased data analysis. I believe that is how I approach my role as commissioner.