Q&A with Dubois County Commissioner District 2 candidates Mary “Becky” Beckman and Serice Stenftenagel

The Dubois County Commissioners are the executive branch of the county government.

County commissioners have multiple responsibilities in regard to the operations of the county. Those include:

• Controlling, maintaining, and supervising county property, including courthouses, jails, and public offices.
• Supervising construction and maintenance of roads, and bridges and providing for traffic control.
• Developing economic development programs to attract and retain jobs in the county.
• To grant vacation pay, sick leave, paid holidays and other similar benefits to county employees.
• To administer elections in conjunction with the county election board.
• To establish minimum housing standards.
• Auditing and authorizing payments on behalf of the county.
• To incorporate new towns and alter township boundary lines, on petition.
• Receiving bids and authorizing contracts.
• Exercising appointive powers, including the selection of members to fill positions on boards, commissions, and committees and appointments of certain department heads.
• Planning and implementing strategies for solid waste handling as members of solid waste district boards.

Mary “Becky” Beckman (Dem) has served on the Dubois County Council since 2014.

This is Serice Steftenagel (Rep) first bid for election. She owns and operates 2 Sign Guys and Little Si’s Construction.

Here are the questions. (Answers are published as written by the candidates with light editing and adjustments for layout.)

Let’s talk about growth: Dubois County has several programs designed to attract business and people, what do you think the county needs to be paying attention to the most as growth occurs?

Beckman — The 2020 Census confirmed population growth in Dubois County. While the State embraces policies and offers opportunities to maintain a favorable business climate, Dubois County must continue to be protective of and an advocate for the health and well-being of its citizens. Dubois County continues to work in a collaborative manner with other local governments and community organizations on quality of place amenities that make our county a desirable place to live and will help to retain our population.  

Steftenagel — I would like to see the county do a better job of informing employers and families of government and local programs to attract and assist businesses and the public. If we ease the restrictions on government-assisted programs, we can better get the assistance businesses need to benefit employees, who, in turn, will not have to live from paycheck to paycheck. Right now, businesses are struggling to find and keep employees because they can’t afford to pay them more due to the rise in the cost of goods. Instead of businesses paying employees more, which is what we need, they are having to use any government assistance that they have obtained to pay for the rise in goods due to pandemic supply chain issues.

Let’s talk about housing and workforce needs: Dubois County steadily remains a county with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state while having employers in the area constantly battling over candidates. We also have identified a lack of affordable housing as an issue, and though that is being addressed, the amount of affordable housing is still a common complaint. What role does the county play in addressing those challenges?

Stenftenagel — While I am proud that the County is developing housing properties, which are also creating jobs, we definitely need to figure out how to keep the cost of housing down. I look forward to working with fellow commissioners and city officials to address affordable housing challenges for people wanting to live in our area.

Beckman — Workforce is affected by housing, transportation, childcare, healthcare, broadband, public health, public education, basic human needs, inflation, etc. Affordable housing is not available to all incomes in Dubois County. Clean, safe, and sanitary housing is not available to all incomes in Dubois County. Dubois County Government plays a collaborative role with other local governments that have the means to promote affordable housing projects through Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Boards. In the last eight years that I have represented District 2 on the County Council, Dubois County has provided financial support to companies seeking state tax credits in order to build apartment communities that offer income-based apartments.  Other economic tools, such as tax abatements, are available to qualified entities and will normally be supported by Dubois County Government. 

Let’s talk about addiction and mental health issues: What concerns do you have about these two issues and how do you see the county assisting in addressing them?

Beckman — Personally, I have worked on addiction and mental health issues for the last 20 years. Since I retired from TRI-CAP, I have continued my active participation on the Dubois County Public Health Partnership’s Mental Health Committee, DC Substance Abuse Council, Latino Collaboration Table, LifeSpring’s Residential Treatment Center Advisory Committee, and the Community Solutions Criminal Justice Study Committee, as a representative of the County Council, and I will continue that participation in the future.  The County Council has agreed to use the Correction and Rehabilitation Tax money that remains after the construction of the Jail and remodeling of Community Corrections for rehabilitation services in our criminal justice system. The Council has been an advocate for Dove Recovery House for women, and will continue to support recovery efforts for men and the LifeSpring’s Residential Treatment Center.

Stenftenagel — I am very concerned about mental health in our County. The Dove House opening and the development of the Next Step Recovery Home are essential assets to this community. I believe that building a thriving community helps to foster mental health and well-being. When we have safe places to live and gather, we create an environment that fosters recovery and stability and provides a place for mental health patients to thrive. When people have access to affordable housing and good jobs, we create less stress and anxiety. This goes back to us as a County pulling together to address affordable housing options. 

Let’s talk about Infrastructure and HELP: The county is taking part in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) to work with OCRA on projects that address one of four areas: broadband connectivity, community wellness, enhancing the quality of place and strengthening local economies. What of these four pillars do you feel is the most immediate concern for the county and why?

Stenftenagel — Strengthening our local economy is essential to building a better community. As the owner of a construction and sign company, I see how individuals and businesses could benefit from apprenticeships, on-the-job training and even mentoring. These initiatives could help close the workforce gaps, reduce turnover and increase productivity. Rather than outsourcing jobs, we can bring these skills back to our community so we can continue to buy and sell from our neighbors. Investing in our local economy in this way will make our future leaders more employable. Watching future leaders have more confidence to practice their skilled trade independently will open up more businesses and employment opportunities for generations to follow. 

Beckman — Community Wellness is Public Health. Indiana is not a healthy state, yet Public Health has been underfunded for decades through both Democrat and Republican Administrations. Today, Indiana pays about $37 per person less than the national average for Public Health. The pandemic made the deficiencies in Indiana very clear.  Community Wellness is a huge pillar that affects each person in our county. A recent 12- month public health study commissioned by the Governor and conducted by our State Health Commissioner, Dr. Box, and former State Senator Luke Kenley, has provided about 30 recommendations that will be put before our State Legislature.  Those recommendations can be a useful guide to our HELP Project.

We can’t avoid talking about the Mid-States Corridor: While the Tier One study is still being completed, the second tier will be moving forward in the near future. What are your thoughts or concerns as the county will likely be called upon to help fund the next phase of the study and even the construction of the corridor if it moves forward? Do you support funding the next tier of the study or its construction through local tax increases or with local tax dollars? Why do your support or not support the corridor?

Beckman — I do not support additional funding for Tier Two or for the construction of the Corridor.

Stenftenagel — With the second tier of the Mid-States Corridor moving forward in the future, I believe that it should be the responsibility of the state or federal government to provide the funds for this study. If individuals and companies want to fund this as well, I understand this. I do understand the benefits and concerns of the people affected by the Mid-States Corridor, but I do not believe we need to raise individual taxes in order to fund future studies. Coming out of a pandemic, some individuals and businesses are still struggling to recover without a tax increase to support something that may or may not move forward. The final decision on whether to proceed with the Mid-States Corridor project ultimately falls to the state and federal transportation officials, so I don’t feel us, as locals should use our tax money to fund this. 

Is there a county-wide issue that you would like to address other than the ones I have asked about?

Stenftenagel — I think we need to shift our focus from large change projects like the Mid-States Corridor to our day-to-day operations and how we are going to address supply chain issues. Bringing supply chain professionals into the mix to help clients, business owners and professionals identify alternatives to their operations would be useful. As the owner of 2 Sign Guys, we have naturally had supply chain issues due to oil availability which is used to produce the vinyl that we use daily. We have sometimes been effective in finding alternative materials to keep our business running. I am sure other local businesses have not been so lucky at identifying alternatives to keep their operations flowing smoothly.  These issues have impacted our local emergency services. A delay in parts has kept some of our ambulances out of service, which is a public safety concern. It’s things like this that need to be addressed to make our community members feel safe and secure and help to foster a better sense of health and well-being. I will work with our fellow commissioners, county council and state legislatures to address responsible changes we can make to ease state rules in response to our current conditions moving forward. I want to make sure our community is heard. I think more open forums will foster productivity within our community. Stakeholders and community members are more likely to accept decisions if they feel like they have input. The public has a lot of good ideas but do not feel like they have a voice. Open forums help our communities understand why a decision was made even if it was not of their liking. I think community engagement creates transparency and trust.

Beckman — (Did not comment further.)