Harold E. "Huck" Lewis (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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: (April 14, 2004, Lebanon Reporter) Candidate Lewis indicated that he supports the Duke Realty I-65 Project and that he likes the fact the county is just dealing with one developer and not multiple developers. (April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum) He reiterated his belief that TIF bonds should not be used for residential development but should be used in areas that promote job opportunities. (October 20, 2004, Lebanon Reporter) We need to recognize the importance of I-65 to Boone County and develop our I-65 corridor by utilizing our development community and our planning staff and cooperating with other municipalities, such as Zionsville, Whitestown and Lebanon. There are important decisions that need to be made so we can create a plan that encourages and manages business and economic development in a way that benefits all Boone County residents and enhances our growth plans and expectations. Securing an equitable and stable tax base along this corridor is not only sound fiscal planning and management, but will benefit us all by striving to control local taxes.

Question #2: Do you support a new Local Option Highway User Tax (or "wheel tax") on all vehicles registered in the County?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response): I do not support a wheel tax.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response): I would support using a portion of COIT funds if we had a long range plan to decide how much money we need from year to year to maintain and convert roads.

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)?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response): No, I feel we might need to use that money for other services or needs of the county.

Question #5: Should the County Commissioners be required to get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services budget?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum; May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response): Yes. The county council is the fiscal body for the county. There needs to be better communication between both boards. If I'm elected I will work to improve this situation.

Question #6: What should be done to absorb the 2007 reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income tax increase?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: (May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response) The state has thrown this in the lap of local government and I feel they need to come with a plan to support the taxpayers. We need to research what other counties are going to do. One possibility might be the EDIT tax. (NOTE: the "EDIT tax" is a county economic development income tax, or CEDIT, on individuals to provide additional homestead credits if property taxes are increased to replace lost inventory tax revenue.) (October 21, 2003 Candidates Forum for Lebanon Mayor): Candidate Lewis supported a Lebanon property tax rate increase to replace lost inventory tax revenue.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response): I would support a convention center if we could fund the project. I do not feel we have the funds at this time to support it. We have more pressing issues facing the county at this time.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: (May 4, 2004, Primary Election Questionnaire Response) I feel David Koehler is doing a fine job as a board member. He has saved the library time and money by implementing and streamlining their accounting system. He also works in the same manner as the past treasurer to keep spending under control as to keep the annual budget in line. David also works closely with the director and board members. (Vice President of the Lebanon Public Library Board) Candidate Lewis voted for the $8 million library addition at the February 26, 2003, Library Board meeting. He was called off the golf course on August 27, 2003, to cast the deciding Library Board vote in a failed attempt to put a large parking lot in the middle of a residential neighborhood. 

Question #9:  Do you see any potential conflict-of-interest issues that could arise during your term as commissioner?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (Itemized 2004 Campaign Contributions as of October 8, 2004): The campaign fund raising practices of Candidate Lewis have compromised him to the point where any votes he takes involving lawyers, home builders, and realtors will be suspect.

Question #10:  If elected as County Commissioner, will you run for a different elected office during your term as County Commissioner?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Lewis has not interrupted service in one elected office to run for another elected office.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND. Record (October 20, 2004, Lebanon Reporter) My top priority will be working to create more cooperation between county and municipal government. Since being appointed to the board of commissioners we have already started meetings to establish a joint health insurance program for the county, city and town employees. As costs rise for services, we need to work together to save money for all government entities, to think outside the box and do more cooperative ventures. I want to establish a long-range plan for our county roads, but we need a strategy to keep our infrastructure strong for years to come.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - I would not support TIF bonds for residential development. TIF should be used in areas that promote job opportunities. The bonds are used to finance infrastructure. RECORD: In the Lebanon Reporter on April 14, Candidate Lewis indicated that he supports the I-65 Duke Realty Project and that he likes the fact the county is just dealing with one developer and not multiple developers. At the April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum he reiterated that he is not in favor of using TIF bonds for residential development.

Question #2: What is the best way for utility services to be provided along I-65 between State Road 334 and State Road 267?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - The federal court has ruled that Whitestown has the right to purchase the Utility. I feel we need to support Whitestown in their effort. No one wins with continued litigation. RECORD (April 14, 2004 Lebanon Reporter): Candidate Lewis supports the purchase of Boone County Utilities by Whitestown.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - I do not support a wheel tax. The commissioners and council need to work together to develop a long term infrastructure plan for the entire county, and find alternative ways to fund infrastructure.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - I would support using a portion of COIT funds if we had a long range plan to decide how much money we need from year to year to maintain and convert roads.

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)?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - No, I feel we might need to use that money for other services or needs of the county.

Question #6: Should the County Commissioners be required to get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services budget?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - Yes, The county council is the fiscal body for the county. There needs to be better communication between both boards. If I'm elected I will work to improve this situation. RECORD (April 21, 2004, Candidates Forum): The County Commissioners should be required to get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services budget.

Question #7: What should be done to absorb the 2007 reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income tax increase?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - The state has thrown this in the lap of local government and I feel they need to come with a plan to support the taxpayers. We need to research what other counties are going to do. One possibility might be the EDIT tax. (NOTE: the "EDIT tax" is a county economic development income tax (CEDIT) on individuals to provide additional homestead credits if property taxes are increased to replace lost inventory tax revenue.)  RECORD (October 21, 2003 Candidates Forum for Lebanon Mayor): Candidate Lewis supported a Lebanon property tax rate increase to replace lost inventory tax revenue.

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - I would support a convention center if we could fund the project. I do not feel we have the funds at this time to support it. We have more pressing issues facing the county at this time.

Question #9: Is there a shortage of ambulances in Boone County? If so, what solution do you propose?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - I am not aware of a shortage. but I will look into this and get back with an answer.

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.
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - I feel David Koehler is doing a fine job as a board member. He has saved the library time and money by implementing and streamlining their accounting system. He also works in the same manner as the past treasurer to keep spending under control as to keep the annual budget in line. David also works closely with the director and board members. Authorization to establish a lease corporation comes from state law implemented by the State Legislature. Many government entities use lease corporations for building projects including municipalities and schools. RECORD: Candidate Lewis was vice president of the Lebanon Public Library Board. He voted for the $8 million library addition at the February 26, 2003, Library Board meeting. He was called off the golf course on August 27, 2003, to cast the deciding Library Board vote in a failed attempt to put a large parking lot in the middle of a residential neighborhood. 

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?
Harold E. "Huck" Lewis - DID NOT RESPOND.

2003 Lebanon Mayor and Lebanon City Council Candidate Questions

Question #1: What are your plans to bring high-pay, full-benefit jobs to Lebanon?
Huck Lewis - (October 21 Candidate's Forum) He hopes to develop a comprehensive plan that would bring a variety of industries and a broad job base to Lebanon, and prepare the city for growth. He will use the sales and marketing experience he gained while working in the private sector in his efforts to promote Lebanon.

Question #2: Are city services adequate or inadequate to meet the needs of our population today? In two years? In four years? Please specify those areas you feel are inadequate.
Huck Lewis - (October 21 Candidate's Forum) City services are currently adequate. Expanded fire, police, and library services will be needed.

Question #3: Compared to inflation, what percentage increase in per capita city government spending is reasonable? What percentage is unreasonable? Please explain your answers.
BACKGROUND: Lebanon general fund disbursements per citizen in 2001 and 2002 increased 16.16% and 15.90% respectively from the prior year. The average annual inflation increase was 2.17%.
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #4: Will you ask City Council to build a scaled-down Municipal Building without issuing bonds? Please explain your answer.
BACKGROUND: City Council approved a $8,056,316 Municipal Building Project (and a $6.5 million bond issue) on August 25. Action will have to be taken before the bonds are issued if City Council is to reverse its Municipal Building decision.
Huck Lewis - Voted August 25 in favor of issuing bonds for the Municipal Building Project.

Question #5: If $6.5 million in bonds are issued for a Municipal Building, what will you do to keep property tax and utility bills from increasing?
BACKGROUND: Bond payments would start in 2004 and conclude in 2024. Money for the bond payments will come from leasing the new Municipal Building to the city for an average of $615,000 annually. The city will use COIT revenues to make the lease payments. To offset some of the COIT revenue loss, the city will sub-lease the new Municipal Building to Lebanon Utilities for about $369,000 annually (which creates the possibility of utility rate increases). It is feared property taxes will go up to replace the remaining COIT revenue loss.
DID NOT RESPOND

Question #6: Do you think the alley adjacent to the Lebanon Library should be closed so the Library Board can issue $8 million in bonds to expand the Library? Please explain your answer and include your opinion regarding the Library expansion.
BACKGROUND: For the Library Board to go forward with the Library expansion as currently designed, the City Council will have to approve the alley closing.
Huck Lewis - He is a member of the library board. He voted for the library addition at the February 26 library board meeting. He was called off the golf course on August 27 to cast the deciding library board vote in a failed attempt to put a large parking lot in the middle of a residential neighborhood. If mayor, he will (1) likely appoint Board of Works members who support over-built and extravagant expansion plans from the library board, and (2) not veto a City Council vote in favor of closing the alley. October 21 Candidates Forum: The library is a critical cornerstone for downtown Lebanon that needs more room for literacy and lifelong learning programs. It is misleading to call the library addition a $12 million project when $8 million in bonds will be issued, even though bond interest payments will eventually total another $4 million.

Question #7: Do you support property tax relief for Lebanon's homeowners? Please explain your answer. If you favor property tax relief, how do you propose re-structuring local taxes to provide such relief?
BACKGROUND: One option for property tax relief is provided by Indiana Code 6-3.5-6-13 (b), which allows the Boone County Council to use County Option Income Tax revenues to increase the homestead credit by an amount up to 8 percent (from 20 to 28% in 2004). Should the County Council decide to do this, COIT revenue received by the City of Lebanon would be decreased by an amount that would be used to provide the increased homestead credit.
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #8: Will you support a Lebanon City Council resolution asking the General Assembly to restore the property tax relief promised to homeowners during the 2002 special session through a Manufacturing Inventory Tax Credit or other acceptable means? Please explain your answer.
BACKGROUND: The Indiana General Assembly in its 2002 special session promised a certain level of property tax relief to residential homeowners through an increase in the Homestead Credit. This year the General Assembly allowed the governor to reduce the promised Homestead Credit increase with a so-called "correction." Establishing a Manufacturing Inventory Tax Credit will allow the state to make up the inventory tax revenue the City of Lebanon will lose next year without a property tax or individual income tax increase. The inventory tax will decline next year because that is when the exemption of manufacturing inventory from inventory tax calculations will be phased in. The cost of a Manufacturing Inventory Tax Credit will be almost the same as the reduction in the Homestead Credit caused by this year's "correction."
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #9: Even if the General Assembly does not establish a Manufacturing Inventory Tax Credit, what will you do to absorb next year's reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income tax increase?
BACKGROUND: Lebanon's inventory tax revenue will decline about $500,000 next year when manufacturing inventory is exempted from inventory tax calculations. If this revenue loss is divided equally between Lebanon's general fund and TIF district, the city will have to cut spending $250,000 (about 3 percent of total general fund expenditures) to avoid a property tax increase or a personal income tax increase (through the establishment of a county economic development income tax). The TIF district has enough of a cash surplus to absorb a $250,000 loss in inventory tax revenue without a problem.
Huck Lewis - October 21 Candidates Forum: If the Boone County Council does not impose a new County Economic Development Income Tax to replace next year's reduction in inventory tax revenue, the Property Tax will have to be increased to offset the lost revenue. Growth in assessed property values will absorb some of the increase, but the remainder will have to be made up by a property tax rate increase.

Question #10: If you decide that Lebanon Utilities should have a sewer rate increase, will you insist that it be offset with a water rate decrease? Please explain your answer.
BACKGROUND: Dwindling net margins is one reason why wastewater utility reserves will decline to an estimated $311,252 at the end of 2003. Because of this, Lebanon Utilities plans to request a sewer rate increase next year. Water utility reserves, which are estimated to be $3,997,671 at the end of 2003, may be robust enough to absorb a water rate decrease if net margins are properly managed.
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #11: Are you in favor of using public money to support a Boone County Family YMCA? Please explain your answer.
BACKGROUND: Paul Kruse, Boone County Family YMCA President, insists, "We will not be seeking or requesting public funds. We will be raising funds from memberships, donations and grants to pay for everything, in the same fashion as all other YMCAs."
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #12: Do you support a new Local Option Highway User Tax (or "wheel tax") on all vehicles registered in the County? Please explain your answer.
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #13: Do you support a stop light on State Road 39 at the Flying J Truck Stop? Please explain your answer.
DID NOT RESPOND 

Question #14: Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail address?
DID NOT RESPOND 

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