Two men with multiple occupations and community roles are hoping to add one more responsibility — the part-time job of serving on the Bartholomew County Council.
Scott Bonnell and Marcus Speer are competing in the Republican primary for the District 1 seat being vacated by Chris Ogle, representing northeastern Bartholomew County.
Bonnell, 56, resides on County Road 350N in Clay Township. He is a farmer, firefighter and president of the Bartholomew County Farm Bureau.
Speer, 44, lives off County Road 300S in Rockcreek Township. He serves as Rockcreek Township Trustee, a minister and bus driver, as well as a farmer.
Whoever wins on May 8 will run in the November general election against Democrat Hanna Omar, who is unopposed in the primary.
Although the 40 percent increase in the county’s local income tax approved last October has emerged as a dominant issue in other county council races, neither Bonnell nor Speer say the tax hike was a motivating factor in seeking office.
Instead, it was Ogle’s decision to not seek a third term that became the prime motivation to mount a run for countywide office.
Bonnell said he doesn’t believe the local income tax increase was out of line, especially since it had been almost 10 years since the council last raised taxes.
Road maintenance will always be important, but other budget determinations and priorities should only be made after a close examination of the overall county budget, Bonnell said.
While Bonnell said upgrades and improvements to the jail should be a priority, he expressed reluctance to support a new highway garage without having more in-depth information.
“Until you understand all the lingo after sitting on the council for about a year, it’s hard to say what’s wrong or right,” Bonnell said.
Bonnell says his past experience, especially with the Farm Bureau organization, will bring different ideas and perspectives to the council.
While Speer said he has told council members he didn’t like the tax hike, “I also recognized that those who voted for it were just trying to keep a balanced budget.”
Although additional revenue places Bartholomew County back on solid fiscal ground, Speer said the council must remain conservative in its spending, as well as continue to look for efficiencies.
Speer said he agrees with recent remarks by the Bartholomew County commissioners that public safety should be top on the funding list.
New revenue should be spent for public safety, while “other funding sources would need to be used for other needs,” Speer said.
Although the county courthouse is considered the most well-known county-owned building, Speer said the county highway garage has the highest need for attention.
Speer said his record already reflects his desire to serve others, and that being elected to the council would provide him to serve a larger population than Rockcreek Township alone.
District 1 includes residents in Hawcreek Township, Clay Township, Clifty Township, Rockcreek Township, northeastern Columbus and northeastern Bartholomew County.
Four members of the County Council represent geographical parts of Bartholomew County, while three serve as at-large members.
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Responsibilities: The Bartholomew County Council has the ultimate decision-making power regarding fiscal affairs. The seven-member council has the authority to view or review fiscal matters, determine proper policy, and set priorities for the allocation and expenditure of county funds. Duties include:
- Approving and fixing annual operating budgets of all county government offices and agencies.
- Establishing salaries, wages, per-diem pay and other compensation for all county officials and employees.
- Fixing tax rates and establishing levies on all county property for the purpose of raising funds to meet budget requirements in conducting county business, as well as authorizing the borrowing of money in the form of bonds and notes.
Salary: Annual salary of $8,361. Council members are eligible for the same benefits as full-time county employees, including health and life insurance, as well as enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement Fund.
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See bios and question-and-answer responses inside on Page XX.
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