Charles Eaton (Taxpayer UNfriendly)

Watchdog Indiana Home Page Watchdog Lebanon Home Page 2004 Boone County Candidates 2002-03 Boone County Candidates

Address: 135 Ulen Blvd., Lebanon, IN 46052
Phone: 765-482-7170
E-mail: cheulen@hotmail.com

November 2, 2004, Boone County Commissioners General Election Questionnaire:

Question #1: What is your opinion of the Duke Realty I-65 Project? Specifically, would you sign a petition to initiate the petition and remonstrance process so all Boone County real property owners can make the final decision to issue any Tax Increment Financing bonds to subsidize the I-65 Project?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: (April 7, 2004, Lebanon Reporter; April 21, 2004, Lebanon Reporter; April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum) Candidate Eaton is generally in favor of the Duke Realty I-65 Project, but he led an effort to have the Boone County Council pay for an independent analysis of the Project to help make certain the interests of all Boone County citizens are protected. He feels that growth in the I-65 area needs to be controlled, well reasoned, and defined. Candidate Eaton feels the use of impact fees is important so those getting the benefits of development are fully involved in helping on the cost side of the ledger. He believes the county, municipalities, and townships need to work together to secure the kind of growth that the majority will find acceptable. (October 20, 2004, Lebanon Reporter) The estimated build out of the project will take 15 to 20 years. That would indicate a rate that would be orderly and that could be absorbed with minimal disruption. The recent purchase of the first 300 acres with options on the balance through the year 2013 seems to reinforce the notion of a steady approach. The financing of needed infrastructure will be key to the project and to the county. The redevelopment commission will play an important role, approving bonds in excess of $3 million. The bonds will be backed by Duke. I have great confidence in the commission.  

Question #2: Do you support a new Local Option Highway User Tax (or "wheel tax") on all vehicles registered in the County?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Eaton declined as County Council President during a May 13, 2003, meeting to entertain a motion on a Wheel Tax until the impact of property reassessment is known. He had heard nothing regarding the Wheel Tax from the other local governing bodies in Boone County. He also stated that all taxpayer input he had received was against the Wheel Tax. He agreed that a Wheel Tax might be reconsidered in a few months depending on how much future revenue is received. He had a heated exchange with a Purdue University Local Technical Assistance Program representative regarding efforts to implement a state requirement for the Wheel Tax to be imposed in order to receive proceeds from any Gas Tax increase. He pointedly put the LTAP representative in his place as a result of checking with State Representative Jeff Thompson to determine that a Wheel Tax requirement to receive Gas Tax proceeds is unconstitutional.

Question #3: What portion of County Option Income Tax revenue should be returned to the Boone County Highway Department as a funding source? Should any of the County's Rainy Day Fund be dedicated to the needs of the Highway Department?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Eaton was President of the County Council that stopped allocating COIT money to the Highway Department in 2003.

Question #4: Do you support using COIT revenue to provide an increase in the homestead credit on our property tax bills by an amount up to 8% (i.e. from 20% to 28%) as allowed by Indiana Code IC 6-3.5-6-13 (b)?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: None.

Question #5: Should the County Commissioners be required to get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services budget?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (April 7, 2004, Lebanon Reporter): Candidate Eaton said the County Council is responsible for appropriating funds and the County Commissioners must first seek approval.

Question #6: What should be done to absorb the 2007 reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income tax increase?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: None.

Question #7: Do you support a "convention center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds? If so, how do you think it should be paid for?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record :Candidate Eaton cast a November 18, 2002, County Council vote in favor of building the proposed "convention center."

Question #8: Is the Lebanon Public Library Board member appointed by the Boone County Commissioners doing a good enough job of representing all the interests of affected residents?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: Voted on September 14, 2004, as President of the Boone County Council to reappoint Jane Myers to the Lebanon Public Library Board in spite of her leadership efforts to construct an overbuilt and extravagant addition to the Lebanon Public Library.

Question #9:  Do you see any potential conflict-of-interest issues that could arise during your term as commissioner?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (Itemized 2004 Campaign Contributions as of October 8, 2004): Mrs. Alfred Stokely (Zionsville) $200. Dr. James Strickland (Zionsville) $200. Martha O'Connor (Indianapolis) $300. Eagle Creek Nature Conservancy and Preservation, Inc. (Zionsville) $500. Geisler Trucking (Lebanon) $500. Traders Point Farm Estates, LLC (Zionsville) $500. Frank A. Hoffman (Zionsville) $1,500. J & W Brant (Zionsville) $250. W & S Chapman (Zionsville) $500.

Question #10:  If elected as County Commissioner, will you run for a different elected office during your term as County Commissioner?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Eaton is currently a County Council Member for District 3. If elected County Commissioner, the ten Republican precinct chairmen in District 3 would select Candidate Eaton's replacement for the final two years of his term.

Question #11: Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail address?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: (October 20, 2004, Lebanon Reporter) Elected officials have a fiduciary responsibility to the voters and taxpayers to be good stewards of the tax monies they administer. While they all have this responsibility, the commissioners are the purchasing agents and must maximize the use of competitive bidding, not just when it is required by statute. Bid specifications need to be broad enough to include as many potential suppliers as possible. In those instances where they opt to delegate a portion of this activity, they need to be vigilant when auditing and authorizing the payment of claims to be sure that best practices are being adhered to. (October 26, 2004, Indianapolis Star) The top issue is zoning. Boone County is in the process of potential explosive growth due to the resolution of the utility problem. The challenge will be to control the growth, so we do not end up with massive sprawl and traffic congestion like that around I-69 and 96th Street. It will take a cooperative effort working together with the Area Planning Commission, the Redevelopment Commission and the County Commissioners. It will require serious planning, which has not been a strength in the past. I believe that I can be effective in implementing this process.

May 4, 2004, Boone County Commissioners Republican Primary Election Questionnaire:

Question #1: What is your opinion of the I-65 Duke Realty Project? Specifically, do you think it is appropriate for TIF bonds to pay for residential development and internal roads?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. RECORD (April 7, 2004 Lebanon Reporter; April 21 Lebanon Reporter, April 21 Candidates Forum): Candidate Eaton is generally in favor of the I-65 Duke Realty Project, but he favors an outside firm of finance and land use professionals to study the Project to help make certain the interests of all Boone County citizens are protected. He feels that growth in the I-65 area needs to be controlled, well reasoned, and defined. He appears to support a Comprehensive Plan update rather than the Planned Unit Development approach. Candidate Eaton feels the use of impact fees is important so those getting the benefits of development are fully involved in helping on the cost side of the ledger. He believes the county, municipalities, and townships need to work together to secure the kind of growth that the majority will find acceptable.   

Question #2: What is the best way for utility services to be provided along I-65 between State Road 334 and State Road 267?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. RECORD (April 7, 2004 Lebanon Reporter): Candidate Eaton opposes county ownership of Boone County Utilities. He does not support the commissioners' lawsuit against Whitestown relating to alleged open door violations.

Question #3: Do you support a new Local Option Highway User Tax (or "wheel tax") on all vehicles registered in the County? Specifically, should a wheel tax be imposed to help Duke Realty build roads in its proposed I-65 Project?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. RECORD: Candidate Eaton declined as County Council President during a May 13, 2003, meeting to entertain a motion on a Wheel Tax until the impact of property reassessment is known. He had heard nothing regarding the Wheel Tax from the other local governing bodies in Boone County. He also stated that all taxpayer input he had received was against the Wheel Tax. He agreed that a Wheel Tax might be reconsidered in a few months depending on how much future revenue is received. He had a heated exchange with a Purdue University Local Technical Assistance Program representative regarding efforts to implement a state requirement for the Wheel Tax to be imposed in order to receive proceeds from any Gas Tax increase. He pointedly put the LTAP representative in his place as a result of checking with State Representative Jeff Thompson to determine that a Wheel Tax requirement to receive Gas Tax proceeds is unconstitutional.

Question #4: What portion of COIT revenue should be returned to the Boone County Highway Department as a funding source? Should any of the County's Rainy Day Fund be dedicated to the needs of the Highway Department?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. RECORD: Candidate Eaton was President of the County Council that stopped allocating COIT money to the Highway Department in 2003.

Question #5: Do you support using COIT revenue to provide an increase in the homestead credit on our property tax bills by an amount up to 8% (i.e. from 20% to 28%) as allowed by Indiana Code IC 6-3.5-6-13 (b)?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.

Question #6: Should the County Commissioners be required to get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services budget?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. RECORD (April 7, 2004, Lebanon Reporter): Candidate Eaton said the County Council is responsible for appropriating funds and the County Commissioners must first seek approval.

Question #7: What should be done to absorb the 2007 reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income tax increase?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.

Question #8: Do you support a "convention center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds? If so, how do you think it should be paid for?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND. RECORD: Candidate Eaton cast a November 18, 2002, County Council vote in favor of building the proposed "convention center."

Question #9: Is there a shortage of ambulances in Boone County? If so, what solution do you propose?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.

Question #10: Is the Lebanon Public Library Board member appointed by the Boone County Commissioners doing a good enough job of representing all the interests of affected residents? Specifically, should the Commissioners' appointed member be supporting the establishment of a leasing corporation to own an expanded library building in order to circumvent state law that will not allow the Board to borrow $8 million.
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.

Question #11: Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail address?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND

November 5, 2002, Boone County Council District 3 General Election Questionnaire:

1. Do you support an increase in the homestead credit on our property tax bills by an amount up to 8% (i.e. from 20% to 28% in 2003) as allowed by Indiana Code IC 6-3.5-6-13 (b)?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

2. As it is now, we are spending more money on attorneys than we are on all our judges combined. What are you going to do to help stop this waste of money?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

3. If the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission revokes the Boone County Utility certificate of territorial authority, how much money are you willing to spend for a County-controlled regional water and sewer district?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

4. Assuming you follow through with your desire to build a "convention center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, how do you think this project should be paid for?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

5. During its special session earlier this year, Indiana’s General Assembly concocted a complex scheme to eliminate the Inventory Tax through (a) a phased-in property tax shift to all other types of property through an increased property tax rate and (b) a shift (in those counties choosing to do so) to a tax on the income of individuals through the establishment or increase of a County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT). The County currently does not impose the CEDIT. Because of all the distribution centers in Boone County, the inventory tax shift to homeowner property taxes would be particularly onerous. Will you support a County Council resolution directing the General Assembly to find a better way to eliminate the Inventory Tax?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

6. Do you support a new County Economic Development Income Tax?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

7. Do you support a new Local Option Highway User Tax (or "wheel tax") on all vehicles registered in the County?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

8. Do you support an increase in the Emergency Telephone System (E911) fee? If so, how much?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

9. Do you support the creation of a Boone County animal shelter? If so, how will you pay for it?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

10. Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail address?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.

Candidate Eaton is not results-oriented, compassionate, and fiscally conservative. In the present environment where county revenues are decreasing, Candidate Eaton does not favor reduced spending so the county can live within its means. Candidate Eaton is cheerfully poised to increase both county spending and taxes.

On April 29,2002, there was a joint meeting of the Boone County Board of Commissioners, County Council, and Tourism Council. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss funding options for the proposed "convention center." During the middle of this meeting, Commissioner Wendy Brant stood up, walked around the table, and whispered something in the ear of Charles Eaton, who nodded in apparent agreement. No public comment was made about what transpired between the two of them, but this action demonstrated to me how Charles Eaton and Wendy Brant have a few disturbing characteristics in common.

Charles Eaton, like Wendy Brant, has his heart in the right place. However, he is prone to excessive gathering of data, and then analyzing that data in such a way as to identify "conspiracies" where there really are none. Charles Eaton also can react in a petulant manner towards someone who has an opinion different than his.

At least District 3 voters have the comforting opinion of a local barber to fall back on. This barber was asked who he supports for County Council. The barber quickly pointed out that there is a choice between a Democrat and a Republican. When told that party is not important, and after being asked who is the best man for the job, the barber, who almost always has an immediate answer for everything, actually hesitated – and finally stated that both Charles Eaton and his opponent are good men.

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This page was last updated on 03/19/10 .