Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Bradley J. Tandy is seeking re-election to Kosciusko County Council on the Republican ticket.
He represents the 3rd District, which encompasses the city of Warsaw and the Town of Winona Lake.
He is unopposed "I am seeking re-election because I have very much enjoyed this opportunity to serve my community," said Tandy Monday. "I believe that I approach issues facing the county with a progressive, forward-thinking view of providing citizens and businesses of this county with necessary services for future growth, while maintaining a commitment not to increase the overall tax burden of citizens."
By necessary services, Tandy means the county needs to have an infrastructure in place that can handle businesses' future growth, whether existing businesses with a desire to expand or new businesses wanting to locate in the county.
"We have seen a lot of expansion right on (U.S.) 30, near Whitley County, as you're going into Columbia City, where they have put an industrial park," Tandy said. The reason, according to Tandy, is that the sewer, utilities and lot space are already there. Whitley County is just waiting for the businesses to arrive - and they're coming.
Kosciusko County does not have such a place for businesses to look at when they are wanting to expand or relocate. Tandy hopes that will change.
While the "overall tax burden" may not be getting lowered, Tandy is committed to maintaining the council's careful, conservative fiscal view.
"We have an excellent track record of fiscal responsibility," Tandy said.
While maintaining that view he is also trying to convince the other council members to make investments that will attract businesses into the county. He believes that to alleviate the tax burden on the individual, it is necessary to continue the growth of the business community.
One of the issues Tandy has struggled with during his past term has been the Economic Development Income Tax. EDIT could be used only for capital improvements such as sewers, roads, street lights and signs. The funds collected by EDIT are distributed to not only the county, but to each municipality, such as Warsaw and Winona Lake. The distribution is based on population, however, which gives most of the funds to the county.
One of the possibilities if EDIT were adopted would be the enlargement of the county jail, which is one of the major issues facing the county.
"If the commissioners come to the council and say, 'We're building a new jail, please find the funds to support it,' we'd have to look very hard at EDIT to supply that," Tandy said.
Tandy himself has been very uncertain on EDIT, voting both for and against it during his term. He believes that it's the commissioners' duty to determine what is necessary for the county, and if they feel something is not necessary, he would not feel justified voting for it.
Some of Tandy's plans and ideas for the future include the further implementation of the merit wage and review program for county employees. The program gives the power of evaluating county employees to their immediate superiors and letting them determine pay rate. This concept brings the county closer to a private sector attitude.
"You're rewarded, or not rewarded, based upon performance by the person that's working with you, as opposed to a council of seven that doesn't know you," Tandy said.
Another issue he will pursue if re-elected include better cooperation between city and county officials. He wants to change the attitude that "if it's good for city, it's bad for county," saying the two can work together and make a more efficient community.
Tandy, who began his four-year term in January 1995, is currently the assistant general counsel of Biomet Inc. He was previously a partner in the Warsaw law firm formerly known as Rasor, Harris, Lemon & Reed from 1984 to 1992. He was raised in New Market, obtained his undergraduate degree from DePauw University and his law degree from Indiana University School of Law at Bloomington.
He also has served on numerous boards and volunteer organizations in the community and is presently serving on the executive committee of the board of directors of Cardinal Center, having completed a one-year term as its president.
He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Winona Lake with their two children, Eric and Emily.
