LTTE: Economic development not priority for current county leaders

While many different factors will drive how we vote on the Federal or State level, one factor will drive the local elections and it is economic development. As a rural county, in mostly ignored part of the state for generations, we have seen nearly 6 straight years of work the state has done to build up SW Indiana. Yet during this time our elected county officials have consistently ignored economic growth in favor of trying to keep the status quo. Economic development is the core for any county and how this process progresses drives current and future opportunities for the next generations.

The most disturbing thing that has occurred is how the Economic Development Income Tax has been spent. Now more information is available for everyone to understand. First we need to review how much of our tax revenue the county has not been spent. Since 2002 the county has doubled the amount of on hand tax revenue from just over $18 million to over $39 million. The county’s annual spending is just around $19-20 million. That means the county is currently has “on hand” enough tax revenue to fund the county government for nearly 2 straight years without having to tax us!

Now, for you and me having a 3 to 6 month emergency reserve fund is a wise thing to do in case you lose your job or your business falters since we don’t have the ability to tax for cash. Why does the county need so much money? Why did the current elected county council members during these years believe it wise to hoard our tax revenue while we struggle to pay the bills? That is $1185 for every man, woman and child over age 15 and older sitting in county checking accounts.

More research has been conducted into EDIT spending so we can better understand the spending habits of our County Commissioners and County Council members. Starting in 2007 and ending with the latest 2012 EDIT October update; the pattern of spending economic development tax revenue on non-economic development budget items is very consistent. The following breakdown shows total EDIT revenue received, amount spent (the rest being stored in checking accounts), and very little used towards economic development. For the sake of my calculations and a question we all must ask ourselves what is EDIT worthy, economic development is not considered as being existing roads being repaved or repaired as is, repair existing storm sewers, truck purchases, GIS, 4H fairgrounds, health vaccines, and the 2-1-1 program as these expenditures have historically been considered as general budget items.

2012 figures are for spending up through October and are subject to change until December 31st.

The numbers show the county has done a poor job spending EDIT revenue on economic development projects with the exception of Dubois Strong being the only major recipient of the funds. While reviewing the various projects EDIT has funded, a pattern has developed that it EDIT funds are on expenditures the other taxes the county has collected (Wheel and Surtax, County Optional Income Tax, and property taxes).

Now consider the fact Dubois County has lost 2700 jobs from 2001 to 2011. Are our elected county officials properly spending EDIT funds? Dubois County is losing jobs and our kids!

The elected officials are increasing the balance in the county’s checking accounts and then spending our EDIT receipts on non economic development capital outlays! Think of all the things the money could have been spent on; rural high speed internet, recruiting companies and families to Dubois County; making certain areas ready for business development by getting them shovel ready like the airport did; developing a modern website focused on economic development are just some ideas coming off the top of my head.

This leads me to one conclusion; as many of the currently elected  county commissioners and council members must NOT be retained for the sake of the future of the county. Fortunately for us, the challengers have spoken up for economic development and fighting to spend EDIT revenue for economic development and in ways to incentivize our kids to return to Dubois County.

I urge each and every voter to vote for Larry Jones for County Commissioner, and only Nick Hostetter and Patrick Schuler for County Council. Our kids and the future of Dubois County need your attention, please vote today.