In 2010, Minnesota enters another year of projected tax revenue declines. This situation has the potential to impact Lake County government, and the services the county provides its residents, businesses and visitors.
The county depends upon federal and state aid to supplement the revenues it receives through property taxes, fees and other sources. The current economy guarantees this aid will not be as generous as in the past. The federal government is currently operating under the burden of $13.2 trillion in national debt, and the state is facing a projected budget shortfall of nearly $5.8 billion.
County land values and personal incomes are under pressure from the collapse of the real estate market and the greatest loss of jobs since the great depression. A drop in income generated from tourism has created serious challenges for many of our local businesses.
Lake County clearly cannot depend solely on its residents and landowners to fully fund its ongoing operations, and must operate with extreme financial care and prudent planning. Economic conditions mean there is very little room for operating error in the county’s budgetary future, and not much public tolerance or capacity for tax increases.
These are not times for the faint of heart. Strong, decisive, tough, fair and knowledgeable leadership, with a focus on hard work, shared sacrifice and commitment to balanced budgets and cooperative partnerships will be necessary. The alternative is a potentially precipitous drop in county services, affecting living standards for most residents of Lake County.
Services the county provides affect all its residents, and the range and quality of those services impact everything from people’s financial well being to the personal health and safety of their families, neighbors and friends.
Understanding the many intricate issues necessary to keep county government stable will require constant focus if our government is to have a healthy future. The coming years will not be kind to those who fail to plan and act appropriately, particularly as the economic situation in the state, country and world changes.
The upcoming election provides an opportunity for voters to make a statement about the county’s direction, and to make an informed decision on which candidate has the experience, commitment and qualifications to address and understand complex fiscal and operating challenges coming over the next four years.
It will give each voter the opportunity to choose courageous and knowledgeable county leadership, the kind of leadership necessary to avoid wasteful projects, well-intended but off-base “blue-sky” pitches, unwarranted subsidies of non-core services and other potentially empty promises.
I believe conscientious and informed voters will assure the election process addresses facts and personal capability, and does not just reflect the outcome of a popularity contest, or a choice made from flashy signage, or a decision based solely upon friendships.
I support open, accessible, honest and understandable communication in building a stronger county. I am decisive, fair, a quick learner, hard worker and a cooperative manager. Those who know me will attest to the fact I am available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to address county, resident and business concerns.
Although a permanent resident for only a short time, I have owned my property here since 1994, and feel I have developed a sense of where I can add to the continued stewardship and improvements the county has provided its employees, residents and businesses over the years.
I am seeking 4th District Commissioner voter support to contribute experience from my years of successful business involvement, technical and financial experience, and strategic planning skills to the future prosperity of Lake County.
