continuing what we started

During my first election I set a goal is to work with all department heads to ensure that during the budget sessions we get real numbers and eliminate the ever increasing need for additional, non-emergency appropriations every month. I am happy to report we have gone a long way to reducing appropriations and all departments are doing a much better job of living within their budgets.

I will continue to work with all the local chambers and utilize my board seat on the EDC to ensure that Elkhart County remains a viable option for new and expanding businesses that are looking to make Indiana their home. Over the last 3 years the county has done an excellent job diversifying our economy and during the recent nationwode economic downturn our unemployment rate has remained low and our local economy has remained viable.

While I hope nothing like COVID happens again, if it were I will again work to prevent federal and state overreach and keep local decisions local as I was quoted below. 

Language in the grant was troubling, too. As County Councilman Adam Bujalski noted, one part of the grant read that the recipient would have to “assist the United States Government in the implementation and enforcement of federal orders related to quarantine and isolation.”

“That one sentence is my no,” Bujalski said. “I refuse to say whatever the federal government tells me I have to do I have to do. I will never do that.”~~ https://thefederalist.com/2021/10/26/indiana-county-says-no-to-cdc-grant-that-plans-for-three-more-years-of-covid/

I will be a partner to our public school districts, as well as to private schools, to help reverse the course of brain drain that is happening in our communities. Working to make Elkhart County a place that graduates not only want to stay in upon graduation but that they have the needed skills for the available positions.   

During my first campaign I made a pledge to work with the other council members to see that the council meets every month, eliminating delays in funding – or worse, having funds spent by departments before they are approved. By the end of my first year in office we agreed to meet monthly and we have moved our meetings to a weekday which has seen improved attendance by our local residents. 

  I will continue to work hand in hand with the County Commissioners to finish putting a strong plan in place for the future of our county that includes an asset management plan for the sheriffs office, parks department, buildings and grounds and any department that has larger items that need to be replaced on any type of schedule to prevent the need for surprise large appropriations when items fail or fall into disrepair.