Watchdog
Lebanon Home PageKen P. Campbell (Taxpayer Friendly)
Address: 301 North Ann St., Lebanon, IN 46052
Phone: (317) 902-3026
E-mail: Sheriffken@gmail.com
Website:
Watchdog Indiana County Council Candidate Questions - 2014 Primary Election
1. Should annual county expenditures exceed annual county revenues? BACKGROUND: See http://www.finplaneducation.net/county_financial_analysis.htm and http://www.finplaneducation.net/county_expendiitures_comparison.htm. ANSWER: Not if it can be avoided.
2. What is an appropriate level of county cash reserves compared to the county’s annual operating budget? BACKGROUND: See http://www.finplaneducation.net/county_ccd_tax.htm. ANSWER: Minimum of 15%. However, I do not necessarily agree with your "bookkeeping" in your research.
3. Do you support a new county-wide Wheel Tax? BACKGROUND: See http://www.finplaneducation.net/wheel_tax_.htm and http://www.finplaneducation.net/transportation_funding_increases.htm. ANSWER: Not at this time.
4. Do you support an increase in the county-wide Cumulative Capital Development property tax rate? BACKGROUND: See http://www.finplaneducation.net/county_ccd_tax.htm. ANSWER: If it is determined to be necessary to maintain the requisite services that our residents deem needed.
5. Do you support a new county-wide Public Safety Local Option Income Tax? BACKGROUND: See http://www.in.gov/dlgf/files/Local_Option_Income_Tax_Fact_Sheet.pdf. ANSWER: You have not told the whole story. As local units of government asked for more local control, the legislature granted it in tax decisions such as this. However, this tax alone cannot be passed. Another must be passed with it. If the public expects to maintain the same level of public safety they have come to expect to maintain their life style, then there does need to be an increase in support of public safety funding. Public safety agencies continue to work hard to maintain their levels of service and a conservative budget, but one can only cut so much without services being negatively impacted. If we want good business to be attracted to Boone County, we need to maintain our public service record.
6. Do you support the elimination of the business personal property tax for any new business equipment? BACKGROUND: Effective July 1, 2015, the county income tax council (which includes county council members) is allowed by the recently passed Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1 to adopt an ordinance to exempt from property taxation any new business personal property that is located in the county. ANSWER: I do not find it economically fruitful to do so. However, I will wait for a legal interpretation of the law to make a final decision.
7. Do you support the elimination of the business personal property tax for any business with less than $20,000 worth of equipment and machinery? BACKGROUND: Starting with the Pay 2017 property tax year, the county income tax council (which includes county council members) is allowed by the recently passed Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1 to adopt an ordinance providing that if the acquisition cost of a taxpayer's business personal property is less than $20,000: (a) the taxpayer is not required to file a personal property return for the taxpayer's business personal property; and (b) the taxpayer's business personal property is exempt from taxation. ANSWER: I believe it proper to do so. However, I will again wait for a legal interpretation of the law.
8. Should county department heads and elected officials obtain approval from the County Council before making offers of employment to fill full-time employment vacancies? BACKGROUND: http://www.finplaneducation.net/boone_county_employment.htm. ANSWER: No. I do not believe in micromanagement of elected official's budgets by the County Council. The public puts their faith in the elected official. The Council has a responsibility to make budget decisions during budget hearings. I do not believe this to be within the County Council's statutory duties. Furthermore, I do not agree with the conclusion you have reached in your interpretation of the data.
9. Should the county help pay for road projects within the municipal limits of the county’s cities and towns, or should county dollars be dedicated to road improvements and maintenance within the unincorporated areas of the county? ANSWER: I do not believe so and yes.
10. Is the Boone County Area Comprehensive Plan a good road map for future growth that also preserves agriculture as an economic development industry? BACKGROUND: See http://www.boonecounty.in.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=65. ANSWER: It is a good starting point. However, it should be under constant review as our county changes.
11. Should the individual votes of County Council members be recorded in meeting minutes so the members can be held accountable for their public policy decisions? ANSWER: Absolutely.
12. Should upcoming County Council board appointments be announced ahead of time so interested citizens can apply? BACKGROUND: See http://www.finplaneducation.net/county_appointed_boards.htm. ANSWER: Yes.
13. Should the County Council have the same attorney as the City of Lebanon? ANSWER: I defer to legal opinion as to whether it is legal or not.
14. Should the Mapleview Rest Home remain open? BACKGROUND: See http://www.finplaneducation.net/boone_county_mapleview.htm. ANSWER: Yes. I visit there regularly and find it to be an appropriate use of our tax dollars.
15. Should there be a tax-supported Boone County Animal Shelter? ANSWER: No. It should be a privately funded entity.
16. Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a campaign phone number and E-mail address? Do you have a website? ANSWER: Our Constitutional authors were wise and made a separation of power in our government. This helps keep one elected group or another from having complete control. Our Executive, Fiscal and Judicial elected officials need to work together to help keep Boone County a great place to work, live, visit and raise a family. The experience I bring from from several terms on Center Township Board, on the County Council, and as your Sheriff is unique. My record reflects conservative attitudes and teamwork with the public and private sector, helping Boone County to be recognized as the 5th safest rural county in America a few years ago. Team efforts that help get this recognition also help bring responsible, tax paying business to our County, assisting with our tax rates. I look forward to returning to the Boone County Council to work with other elected officials, department heads and the public.
2004 County Council Voting Record
Ken Campbell voted NO against the reappointment of Jane Myers to the Lebanon Public Library Board of Trustees. Jane Myers, as President of the Lebanon Public Library Board, led an effort by library advocates to construct an overbuilt and extravagant addition to the Lebanon Public Library. She refused to consider the Taxpayer Friendly compromise of capping property tax support of a Library addition at $5 million and raising any other desired funds from private sources. Opposition to the overbuilt and extravagant Library addition was so widespread there would have been no difficulty in finding a Board appointee who would be Taxpayer Friendly. County Council voted 6-1 on September 14, 2004, to reappoint Jane Myers to the Lebanon Public Library Board.
Watchdog Indiana County Council Candidate Questions - 2004 Primary Election
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? ANSWER: Did not respond.
2. What is the best way for utility services to be provided along I-65 between State Road 334 and State Road 267? ANSWER: Did not respond.
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? ANSWER: Did not respond. RECORD: Candidate Campbell stated during a May 13, 2003, County Council meeting that two persons told him they opposed the Wheel Tax and that "several" persons told him they would favor a Wheel Tax if the proceeds would be used to pave roads. At the April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum, Candidate Campbell stated that the wheel tax is regressive and he will support it only if all of its proceeds are used to pave County roads in accordance with a long-term plan.
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? ANSWER: Did not respond. RECORD: Candidate Campbell was a member of the County Council that did not allocate any COIT money to the Highway Department in 2004.
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)? ANSWER: Did not respond.
6. Should the County Commissioners be required to get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services budget? ANSWER: Did not respond.
7. What should be done to absorb the 2007 reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income tax increase? ANSWER: Did not respond. RECORD (April 21 Candidates Forum): We will "hold the line" when it comes to officeholder budgets. A county economic development income tax (CEDIT) on individuals may be needed to provide additional homestead credits if property taxes must increase to replace the lost inventory tax revenue. Because of the disappearing inventory tax, we will look more closely at future tax abatement requests by businesses and developers.
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? ANSWER: Did not respond. RECORD: Candidate Campbell cast a November 18, 2002, County Council vote against building the proposed "convention center." At the April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum, he stated that the 4-H "convention center" is vital for the community but there is not enough funding available from tourism revenue; other ways will have to be found to fund the "convention center."
9. Is there a shortage of ambulances in Boone County? If so, what solution do you propose? ANSWER: Did not respond.
10. Is the Lebanon Public Library Board member appointed by the Boone County Council doing a good enough job of representing all the interests of affected residents? Specifically, should the Council's 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. ANSWER: Did not respond. RECORD (February 3, 2003, Lebanon Public Library Community Forum): Candidate Campbell asked some probing questions regarding the extent and cost of the proposed Library expansion.
11, How should the county's $7,951,075 Rainy Day Fund be used? ANSWER: Did not respond. RECORD: At the April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum, Candidate Campbell stated that the County's Rainy Day Fund should not be used for day-to-day operating expenses but should be used for capital improvements after the reassessment issues have been resolved this year.
12. Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail address? ANSWER: Did not respond.
2002 County Council Voting Record
Ken Campbell voted NO against the proposed $3 million "convention center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds. There were a number of reasons why the Boone County Council should postpone this nice-to-have project in favor of needed property tax relief. Construction of a Boone County "convention center" was voted down by a County Council vote of 4-3 on November 18, 2002.
This page was last updated on 04/05/14.