Hear from the Republican candidates for County Council

Voters have three choices to make on the Dubois County Council this year.

There are three at-large seats up for election and they will be filled by the three candidates who receive the most votes. (Remember, if you want to vote for these candidates, you cannot vote a straight party ticket).

The incumbent Republican council members — Sonya Haas, Mike Kluesner and Doug Uebelhor — are being challenged by three Democratic candidates — Matt Brosmer, Todd Cassidy and Atalie Schroering.

We sent some questions to each candidate to give readers an idea of their stance on several issues the county is currently facing as well as their views on the county’s role in certain areas of our community.

Each candidate received the same questions.

Here are the Republican candidates’ answers.

You can read the Democratic candidates’ answers here.

Sonya Haas

Why are you running?

I am running because of my love for this county and I hope to be a role model that makes a positive impact for all citizens.  If re-elected, I promise to continue to use my hard work ethic and commitment to serve the citizens of this county.

What are your big concerns regarding the county at this time?

My biggest concern at this time is Covid-19 and the impact it will have on our county.  Not only is there the worry of the health of our citizens and the economic impact to our businesses and the jobs and income of our citizens but also the impact to the county and funds received to keep the county functioning and moving smoothly. The impact to the county is not felt immediately as it is in the business and private sector but will be felt down the road, therefore, we will need to be diligent in our spending and operations of the county.  Thankfully we have the best department heads to work with and are always working hard with us to keep the county running smoothly and efficiently. 

Covid-19 and its impacts aside, what is the council’s role in continuing the economic growth in the county?

The Council’s responsibility in economic development is to evaluate potential projects for incentives and award projects that have high paying jobs or have high capital investment that increases the property tax assessed value.  We also need to maintain budgets that keep tax rates low to keep us competitive with other counties. 

Please state and explain your position on the MidStates Corridor. 

This project is completely decided by the Indiana Department of Transportation. There is no control over their decision if they will move forward by either the Regional Development authority or any local elected officials. The Tier I Study is how INDOT will determine if there is economic growth potential to justify building the road.

If the Tier I Study does not support enough economic growth for the Southwest Indiana region to justify the expense of building the road, it will not happen.There are no guarantees the project will proceed in the future and if INDOT decides the project will proceed with one of the routes, there would be no future funding from the county.

The county council along with the city council and commissioners all agreed unanimously. Democrats and Republicans agreed there was value to support the Tier I Study. 
 
What steps should the county take in response to the expected loss of tax income in the coming years?

Fortunately, the county has been on a firm financial footing and to has had fiscally responsible elected officials and employees who strive to work together on a daily basis.  I feel we all need to stay on the same path of working together being fiscally responsible and transparent for the citizens of this county.  We need to continually search and apply for grants that help us with upgrades and projects in the county.  This will help save the county and taxpayers local tax dollars while still allowing the county to continue to improve but not always at the cost of county tax dollars.

Why should the voters elect you?

During my first four-year term, I’ve gained experience serving on the council, multiple boards and attending training and meetings. In addition, I have 28 years of work experience dealing with multiple government agencies and helping people in my job. I always strive to be hardworking, caring, and to do the job to the best of my abilities. I have been proud to serve the citizens of this county and I would appreciate your trust in me to continue serving so I may continue working to keep Dubois County thriving and safe for you and future generations. 

Michael Kluesner

Why Are You Running?

I am running for a second term to continue to provide leadership, vision, and experience to the Dubois County Council. Through my lifelong endeavors, I have the ability and self-discipline to always give 100% to the task at hand. Also, being fully retired gives me time to dedicate to public service and available to listen to the concerns of the county’s citizens. As an elected servant for the citizens and taxpayers of the county, my heart and mind will always put them first. I want to continue to make common-sense decisions on the council that are fiscally conservative and make government more transparent, efficient and effective.

What are your big concerns regarding the county at this time?

The county council’s big concerns are ever changing and are discussed at every meeting.  It may be concerns on how we plan to handle the safety issues with the Covid-19 and the related monies that are required to make that happen.  You never know when a new emergency may arise…perhaps a new emergency generator is required at this facility or a new phone system is required at another facility, maybe additional help is needed at some department…etc.   These are all discussions that require level headed decisions that are made by the council.  Currently, discussions are being held on the formation of a Dubois County Regional Sewer District.  There are failing septic systems in various small communities and rural areas that need to be addressed and seek a long-term solution.  A proposal was submitted by Clark Dietz Engineering to provide a study and make recommendations.  This will be an ongoing concern that will need to be addressed and provide a funding mechanism to bring this to fruition. 

Covid-19 and its impact aside, what is the council’s role in continuing the economic growth in the county?

As citizens of Dubois County, we have to realize that we operate and compete in a global economy.  There are many cities and towns that envy our business and manufacturing base, but we cannot sit on our laurels.   We need to be competitive with other communities seeking new businesses if we are going to be able to survive and thrive in this environment.  Some of the reasons that economic development is so important is that it can increase employment opportunities and wages, attract new businesses, grow existing businesses, and retain existing businesses that are located here.  This helps increase our tax base for real property.  Economic development is so important and, if required, we need to continue to offer property tax incentives to entice high quality businesses and manufacturers that offer above average wages for their employees.  

Please state and explain your position on the MidStates Corridor?

The MidStates Corridor Tier 1 Study is a study to determine if the long-term growth of our community could benefit from connecting US 231 at Dale to Interstate 69.  This study will determine if there is an economic growth potential in the SW Indiana Region to justify the expense of any transportation and road improvements.  All members of the Dubois County Council, Dubois County Commissioners, City Councils of both Huntingburg and Jasper unanimously agreed that there was value in supporting funding for this study.  This project is not controlled by any further actions of the county council, other local government entities nor the Regional Development Authority and is completely in the hands of Indiana Department of Transportation.  After the study is completed, it is solely INDOT’s decision of whether to move forward with any improvements and there should be no additional funding required by local governments should INDOT decide to proceed forward.

What steps should the county take in response to the expected loss of tax income in the coming years?

As a member of the council, I will continue to review each budget request and follow up on the need and justification of the request.  The county council will need to communicate with each department head and reiterate the importance of being fiscally conservative at all times, but especially during this possible revenue shortfall.  With the federal government’s passage of the CARES Act Funding For COVID-19, we have been or will be reimbursed for many of the items that we purchased to keep the public and the county employees safe during this time.  We are also reviewing the purchasing of some major reimbursable items that will be useful after this pandemic is over, including a full body scanner for the security center, vehicle and trailers for EMA and also for the county health department.  Currently, planning is also being performed for a potential covered canopy and concrete driveway for the drive-thru vaccination clinics at the County Health Department.  This addition will improve the efficiency and safety when entering and exiting the grounds of the facility.

Why should the voters elect you?

With my considerable business knowledge, past military experience and having served on the county council for the past four years, I feel uniquely qualified to continue to hold a seat on the council.  I am very proud of our county and will provide the leadership and hard work it deserves.  I look forward to continuing the fine working relationship that I have with the other county council members, commissioners and employees for the betterment of Dubois County.  Being a lifelong resident of Dubois County, I can acknowledge and appreciate the “quality of life” that we all share as citizens of the county.   I sincerely request that you consider me for another term on the council to complete unfinished work and respectfully ask for your vote.

Doug Uebelhor

Why are you running?

I am running for the Dubois County Council at Large seat because I want to continue to make a positive difference and give back to the community that has given me so much over the years. Having a young family, I feel a need to do what I can to keep Dubois County a great place to live. I want my kids and grandkids to want to come back and make a life for their families here in Dubois County. To do so, we need to continue a fiscally conservative approach to budgeting the county’s resources. I feel blessed to live in Dubois County, and I want to do my part to help it improve and thrive in the changing environment. I have brought enthusiasm, a hard work ethic, and practical experience to the county council and I want to continue to do so in the future.

What are your big concerns regarding the county at this time?

Currently, there are many concerns for the county.  I think the one that most weighs on my mind is how we are going to react to the decrease funds from the effects of Covid-19. The council has been advised that over the next few years we could see a decrease in funding by as much as 10%-15%. That is a huge hit to the county budges and the county’s ability to function. I’ve said this previously and still believe that the county needs to develop a long-range financial plan to account and prepare for future expenses.

I believe such a plan will help us find areas where we can cut costs and save. This plan will also help us budget according to the needs of the various departments, determine projected available funds, and create a flexible timeline for the county. Having a financial plan is vital to keep the county financially sound given the current uncertainties with Covid-19. Another big issue the county is facing is the unfunded mandate to improve deficiencies in our current jail and corrections facilities. This process has taken a long time to work through but by making sure the project doesn’t include unneeded expenses and is tailored to the county’s needs, we have cut a significant amount from the original projected cost. We need to take this conservative approach to all future projects as well.

Finally, the council needs to work closely with all county departments and budgets to ensure we are prudent with all spending. We especially need to work with the departments that bring grant money into the county. The EMA department has been instrumental in creating a plan and process for using federal funds for Covid-19 relief. They and other groups like Region-15 bring in grant money for multiple departments in the county, and we need to encourage more use of these funding sources.

Covid-19 and its impacts aside, what is the council’s role in continuing the economic growth in the county?

The council needs to continue being fiscally conservative in its decision-making. We need to ensure we make every effort possible to spend the money we have wisely. We also need to encourage businesses to reinvest into the communities by expanding and creating jobs. With the tax incentive process we currently have established, local businesses have been given the opportunity and incentive to expand their business and create these necessary, good-paying jobs. As a council, we need to continue to encourage more businesses to take advantage of this and reinvest in our county. As I’ve stated previously, we need to develop a long-range plan for identifying and preparing for future expenses and opportunities. Whether Covid-19 happened or not, having a plan in place and working with local stakeholders to limit spending is the mature and responsible way to effectively govern the county. The most important part of continuing local economic growth is to encourage and support out local businesses and help them where and when we can.

Please state and explain your position on the MidStates Corridor. 

Supporting the study to explore possible options was the responsible thing to do. We needed to explore the potential benefits to the county and weigh them with the negative effects.

I would not, however, support any further financial support from the county council. I personally don’t want to see a project destroy families’ homes or farms. After talking with many county residents and hearing the negative effects the project could have, I feel the negative effects outweigh the positive.

For years Dubois County has worked to get the state to improve Highway 231. During and before my time as a councilman and commissioner, we petitioned the state to improve Highway 231 and were promised it would be improved. I feel this would be a great alternative solution that would improve the existing infrastructure while eliminating the negative effects to family’s homes and farms.

The decision to proceed is in the hands of INDOT and there is no control over their decision from local elected officials, but if INDOT is comparing the benefit of the project to the negative effects it will cause, I feel the only option is to improve the existing infrastructure, Highway 231.

What steps should the county take in response to the expected loss of tax income in the coming years?

I feel we need to develop a long-range financial plan to control and direct spending. In the upcoming years, the county budget will see the financial effects from Covid-19 and we need to be prepared and have a plan to provide the needed services but also conserve out resources as much as possible. I feel that having a plan is the first step to ensuring the county stays financially sound.

We also need to work with the departments and understand their future financial needs. By working with and identifying essential needs of the departments, we will be better prepared to plan for future projects and adapt to any unforeseen expenses. This is another step for the county to keep a firm financial footing.

Finally, by creating and working with the human resource department, we have been able to start creating processes that streamline parts of county government and in return save time and money. We need to continue what we’ve started and work with the human resource department to establish well-defined evaluation processes and streamline other operations of the county departments. By making the processes more efficient, we will be able to save in areas like overtime and hiring of personnel.

Why should the voters elect you?

You should vote for me because I want to continue making a positive difference for the county and give back to the community that has given my family and me so much over the years. I feel blessed to be able to live and raise my family in Dubois County, and I want to continue to do my part to help it improve and thrive. We need to be mindful of current and future financial needs that will impact our communities, and I feel I have the experience and passion to help formulate ideas and solutions to combat these challenges. I have a track record for success in positive change in the local county government and I want to keep working to improve our county.