Age: 33
Occupation: Green County Sheriff's Deputy Jailer
What qualifies you for the position: I trust in my judgment and pride myself in my family
values, leadership qualities, and level head.
Community involvement: Keeping my children involved in sports and 4H.
Education: Graduated from Blackhawk Technical College with an Associates Degree in Police Science. Graduated from Blackhawk Technical College Law Enforcement Academy.
Previous experience: This would be the first position of this kind that I have sought out. I will not be entering this position with any
preconceived notions or expectations.
Q: In expectation of falling revenues (such as stated shared revenue) and increasing costs (such as health care and pension plans costs), what should the City of Monroe do to balance its budget next year?
A: Due to the failing economy, everybody's sacrificing. It does not matter what your financial status is, way or another you are affected. We have to remember that as an Alderperson. We have to be responsible for the actions we make as a council. If we raise taxes or other increases, we just create more stress for the citizens of Monroe. As a council we need to take a look at what we want and what we actually need. We need to be responsible for our actions, and decisions.
Q: Equalized property values in Monroe's five Tax Increment Districts (TID) fell about $6 million total last year. If a TID does not raise enough tax revenue annually and does not have enough excess funds to meet its debt payment, the city must pay those shortfalls from its general fund. This was a concern during the budget meetings this past fall. What should the City do to help generate tax revenues specifically for these districts and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
A: This question is difficult to answer, as I do not have all the details of the issues in those districts. I would need to see which districts fell, and what is within that district, and what other issues affected that area. I believe that it is hard to rely on money that you do not have, and just to plan on it to be there.
Q: Mayor Bill Ross has said, what is good for Green County is good for Monroe, and therefore, he has worked with Green County Economic Development Corporation, Green County Department of Tourism and other county offices and municipalities to promote economic growth in the area. The opposite saying, what is good for Monroe is good for Green County, could also be true. Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cheese Days Committee have worked to promote more tourism to Monroe. What should the city do to help promote Monroe - its history, its products and its recreational opportunities as a destination for more visitors?
A: The people who are on the committees that were mentioned in this question are taking time out of their own lives to make Monroe and Green County a place for people to come. Those people are doing a great job. We have numerous things to draw people to Monroe (Cheese Days, Balloon Rally, Taste of Monroe, Farmers Market, etc.). The City Council has to continue to work with the committees to develop more ideas to draw people to Monroe. We have great history to draw off of, and we need to put that to good use. Monroe needs to be open to growth and new things.
A: Due to the failing economy, everybody's sacrificing. It does not matter what your financial status is, way or another you are affected. We have to remember that as an Alderperson. We have to be responsible for the actions we make as a council. If we raise taxes or other increases, we just create more stress for the citizens of Monroe. As a council we need to take a look at what we want and what we actually need. We need to be responsible for our actions, and decisions.
Q: Equalized property values in Monroe's five Tax Increment Districts (TID) fell about $6 million total last year. If a TID does not raise enough tax revenue annually and does not have enough excess funds to meet its debt payment, the city must pay those shortfalls from its general fund. This was a concern during the budget meetings this past fall. What should the City do to help generate tax revenues specifically for these districts and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
A: This question is difficult to answer, as I do not have all the details of the issues in those districts. I would need to see which districts fell, and what is within that district, and what other issues affected that area. I believe that it is hard to rely on money that you do not have, and just to plan on it to be there.
Q: Mayor Bill Ross has said, what is good for Green County is good for Monroe, and therefore, he has worked with Green County Economic Development Corporation, Green County Department of Tourism and other county offices and municipalities to promote economic growth in the area. The opposite saying, what is good for Monroe is good for Green County, could also be true. Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cheese Days Committee have worked to promote more tourism to Monroe. What should the city do to help promote Monroe - its history, its products and its recreational opportunities as a destination for more visitors?
A: The people who are on the committees that were mentioned in this question are taking time out of their own lives to make Monroe and Green County a place for people to come. Those people are doing a great job. We have numerous things to draw people to Monroe (Cheese Days, Balloon Rally, Taste of Monroe, Farmers Market, etc.). The City Council has to continue to work with the committees to develop more ideas to draw people to Monroe. We have great history to draw off of, and we need to put that to good use. Monroe needs to be open to growth and new things.