A Commissioner's Role (and how I'd Create Transparency)

My Commitment to You

I’m running for County Commissioner because Tippecanoe County deserves leadership that:

• Opens the books

• Explains decisions clearly 

• Tracks progress publicly 

• Delivers results you can measure 

• Puts residents, not insiders, at the center of county government

Side-by-Side Roles for County Government

Function	Commissioners (Executive)	County Council (Fiscal)
Legal role	County Executive	County Fiscal Body
Primary power	Run county operations	Control county finances
Budgets	Propose, administer	Approve, amend, fund
Taxation	None	Set county tax rates
Salaries	Implement	Set pay scales & salary ordinances
Roads & bridges	Build, maintain	Fund the work
County property	Manage & maintain	Fund improvements
Contracts	Negotiate & approve	Fund the obligations
Departments	Supervise & direct	Approve staffing levels & budgets
Meetings	1st & 3rd Mondays, 10 AM	2nd Tuesday, 8:30 AM

Commissioners run the county. The County Council funds the county.

Commissioners are the hands-on managers; the council is the financial oversight board.

What County Commissioners Do

Executive Leadership • Daily Operations • Public Services

County Commissioners are the executive branch of county government. They oversee the day‑to‑day operations that directly affect residents’ lives:

• Maintaining county roads, bridges, and infrastructure

• Managing county departments and public services

• Overseeing county buildings, parks, and facilities

• Approving contracts and supervising major projects

• Setting administrative policies that guide county operations

These responsibilities require visible leadership. Residents deserve clear, accessible updates on:

• What projects are underway

• How far along they are

• What they cost

• Who is responsible

• Whether promises are being kept

Transparency and measurable progress are essential for public trust.

What the County Council Does

Fiscal Oversight • Budget Authority • Taxpayer Accountability

The County Council is the fiscal body of the county. They make the financial decisions that determine what the county can afford:

• Setting the county budget

• Approving tax rates

• Determining salaries for county employees

• Funding (or not funding) county projects

• Overseeing long‑term financial commitments

These decisions shape everything from public safety to infrastructure.

That’s why accountability is critical. Taxpayers deserve to see:

• How money is being used

• Why certain projects are prioritized

• Whether spending aligns with community needs

Accountability means showing the public the numbers — not hiding them.

Why This Matters for Tippecanoe County

When Commissioners and the County Council operate transparently, residents can finally see:

• What’s being done

• How it’s being done

• Where tax dollars are going

• Whether progress is real

• Who is responsible for results

This is how we rebuild trust in county government — through clarity, honesty, and measurable outcomes, not closed‑door decision‑making.