Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
For the May primary, there are only a few contested races.
One of those is for the Kosciusko County Council District 1 seat, currently held by Republican Kimberly Cates. She is facing challenger Thaddeus Du Bois in the Republican primary.
The two candidates were asked to respond to three questions, with responses limited to 300 words or less. Below are the questions and their answers (alphabetically by last name).
1. What is the biggest impact that Senate Enrolled Act 1 will have on the county? What's the best way for the county to address that impact?
Cates: It is believed that it will reduce the county’s property tax income. The DLGF is hosting a Zoom meeting today (April 15) for updates and the true effect is not totally determined even by the scholars who are advising us. I will also be attending the AIC budgeting class tomorrow (April 16) and we (a few council members) will be reviewing the affect of SB1 as it stands currently.
There are not enough facts of the true effect because the legislators are also wanting to change the income tax rates yet those are those least consistent or least stable tax tool for the county to use. So again, currently there are not enough facts to know the real impact and also knowing it may change or evolve in the next several years.
Du Bois: It seems like it might be with the money that schools get. Warsaw for example looks like (if I understand this) maybe about $3 million some less money over three years. That’s something like about three to 4% less per year … I think. It’ll change things but I don’t think we will see chemistry and algebra classes cut from the curriculum so it’s “probably” not a big deal. Otherwise I’m not sure it will have a huge impact. Home owners will see a few hundred dollars off per year. I think I understand that it’s up to $300. For my truck that’s currently three tanks of gas over the course of a year. It’s kinda cute but not really life changing.
What's the best way for the county to address that impact?
I don’t think there is going to be anything to “address.” Maybe just tweak or shift how things are done.
2. When considering whether or not to approve a new employee for any county department, what factors do you consider, and why?
Cates: When a department head alerts the council they are interested in adding a new employee, they go through a process of providing HR a written (formed) request with validation for the position. It then moves to wage committee along with an outside evaluation by our HR company (Wagner, Irwin, Shealy) who provides info as to pay classification, etc. for the job tasks. The wage committee evaluates the request and then gives a recommendation to the full council for the vote.
Du Bois: Probably just normal stuff like aptitude, skill sets, physical and mental capacity to perform the job, motivation, what is their “why.” It’s a pretty broad question given how different each job could be.
Is this the right job for them, will they be satisfied, because probably anyone could get trained to do any job, but will they be happy with it. Like, we don’t need a grouchy person that hates their job and their boss driving a county highway dump truck with a snow plow deciding they are going to take care of some personal issues they have. So, let’s make sure we hire people that will be happy in their position, and keep them happy. I hope everyone laughed at that, I was joking around but for real, find a good fit.
3. The county is determining whether to build a parking garage, with $5 million of the project cost coming from OIRI funds, a portion from the city of Warsaw and the remainder from county funds. Do you support the parking garage project, why or why not?
Cates: Parking is an issue on many days. With traffic to the courts, and both city and county governments hosting meetings and downtown merchant activities. The garage is one option to satisfy safe parking needs. The options of occupancy are still being determined.
It is to also be an option for the county's maintenance vehicles and possibly the county clinic in the future. It has gone from four stories to three stories and unsure where it may end up.
Because the final plans and uses haven't been determined, I will reserve my opinion until we are shown exactly how it will be used and how many needs will be met with this investment.
Du Bois: Oh this is a trick question for sure. I’ll create enemies regardless how I answer because it’s a controversial topic. So … ugh! Here I go.
Yes, I support it. But, is it right for Warsaw? I’m not sure it is. I think it would help grow the downtown area but it all comes at lots of costs. Visual, emotional, historical and obviously financial. I do hate the parking garages in Indy. My truck does not fit in them, ask me how I know! Convenient, and increased population density downtown. Is Warsaw going to utilize it effectively to increase revenue for the businesses within walking distance to it?
If it’s just to blow money and say oh looky we have a parking garage and we didn’t have to pay for all of it then it’s a stupid idea. It’s gotta be used as a tool to make the business close to it more money because they can have more foot traffic. If it’s just to charge people to park in because it’s convenient, then jump that, people will avoid it or park 20 blocks away and walk in rather than pay.
