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St. Joseph County candidates talk budget [South Bend Tribune, Ind.]
[October 25, 2014]

St. Joseph County candidates talk budget [South Bend Tribune, Ind.]


(South Bend Tribune (IN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 25--SOUTH BEND -- This is a big year for county elections, with the positions of St. Joseph County auditor, clerk, assessor, prosecutor, sheriff, one county commissioner and five County Council seats on the ballot in November.



Of those positions, only the sheriff, assessor and one council seat are uncontested in the Nov. 4 election.

Auditor Current County Council member Mike Hamann, the Democratic candidate, and Gerard Arthus, the Republican candidate, will compete for the seat to be vacated by current Auditor Pete Mullen, who has reached his term limit.


Hamann, a teacher at St. Joseph High School, said he doesn't want to leave his job and the council but feels he can contribute in the auditor's office, where budget concerns have placed a focus on its financial leadership.

"The challenge is to make sure we still provide essential government services," Hamann said. "It's not a matter of cutting waste or eliminating excess -- the state has forced our hand and we have to make difficult, but intelligent and informed decisions." Hamann said he would look to cut the budget further and increase economic development before he would consider raising taxes.

Arthus, previously a resident of New York but now from Mishawaka, said that taxpayers can't truly know what's going on in the county budget until it's more transparent. He said, if elected, he would donate his entire salary to creating an automated system for the budget. He's worked in a variety of fields, including higher education and information technology.

Arthus said he believes transparency will also expose and stop corrupt behaviors within St. Joseph County and surrounding area governments. His previous political experience includes serving on a school board in New York. He ran for St. Joseph County treasurer in 2012.

"I will not play the game of using fancy words, obfuscatory language, and deceptive 'mouthings' to use 'smoke-and-mirrors' to confuse the electorate," Arthus said in a list of promises should he be elected. "I will practice 'Truth-In-Advertising' by answering all questions in a clear, concise, and understandable manner." Clerk Incumbent Terri Rethlake, Democrat, seeks to hold her seat against challenger Aaron Troutmiller, Republican.

Rethlake, who has served in various positions in St. Joseph County clerk and recorder offices since 1979, said the office has made "tremendous strides" in the last two years with new technology.

That doesn't mean there aren't still problems with recordkeeping. Two audits in the past two years have highlighted bookkeeping issues in her office. The State Board of Accounts said there is no missing money, but there are still millions of dollars in transactions not accounted properly. Rethlake said she and her staff are working to correct bookkeeping problems that go back at least 10 years.

"The problem is they can't run an automated report, or the system will crash," Rethlake said of the outdated software her department used before the switch to the statewide Odyssey system. "They have to do it manually, and that takes a while. The problem isn't missing money in any way." Her goals, if re-elected, include digitizing tax and marriage licenses, using the state's system for marriage licenses to create an online application and continue to find different ways to fund her office's needs outside of the General Fund, such as using the Clerk's Perpetuation Fund, which is made up from court filing fees.

Troutmiller said that his first goal would be to put together a team, led by himself, to identify all of the bookkeeping errors as soon as possible. He said his current job, as an office manager of a federal credit union, has prepared him for this responsibility.

"My job as a manager of a federal credit union requires that I supervise and manage a talented staff and that I am personally responsible to see that accounts balance to the penny every single day," Troutmiller said. "My staff and I deal with hundreds of thousands of dollars daily, several million dollars per month, and we balance to the penny daily." Troutmiller was critical of the bookkeeping problems that have surfaced during Rethlake's tenure as clerk, and said he would hope to automate many of the clerk's office tasks and find other ways to streamline the department. It would cut down errors and curb spending, he said.

"I will work to make sure that all of the staff is cross-trained to be able to fill multiple positions in the office," Troutmiller said. "Given the difficult budget horizon, I plan to be proactive and prepared to deal with whatever budget hurdles that may arise; and this multi-purposing of the Clerk's staff will position the Clerk's office to be a leader within County government." County Council District A "Bobby K" Kruszynski, Democrat, and David Giles, Republican, are running for the County Council seat being vacated by auditor candidate Mike Hamann.

Kruszynski, a retired St. Joseph County highway commissioner, said that his past employment gives him perspective on both sides of creating the county budget. He sat in on budget hearings this year to see the process, he said.

"It's going to be hard to find new sources of revenue," Kruszynski said. "It was tough this year to make decisions on what to cut." One possible idea to increase revenue through property taxes is being careful with how tax abatements and tax increment financing (TIF) districts are used.

Kruszynski said he also has insight into the leaf program, as he managed it while highway commissioner before the county stopped providing it with in-house crew.

"I never had my leaves picked up," he said, under last year's contracted service. "I have heard from residents who are wondering why the county is still using the same company. If we're going to do leaf pickup, it needs to be analyzed for more efficiency." Giles did not respond to three requests for an interview.

County Council District B Incumbent Corey Noland, Democrat, faces challenger Dennis Jordan, Republican, for this seat.

Noland, a service manager at Koontz-Wagner Electric, said that budgetary issues must be addressed in both cutting budget costs and increasing revenue -- ideally through increased economic development.

Still, Noland said he believes the county can manage the budget with current revenue levels for at least the next few years.

"There's a point of diminishing return when you cut budgets so far that departments can't be successful," Noland said.

As for leaf pickup and the burn ban -- two of the biggest issues in county government last year -- Noland said that there was culpability on both the county's part and contractor Greenworld's part in the botched leaf pickup last year.

That said, Noland said the leaf pickup program should continue for this year, and that he believes most of the issues from last year's program will be addressed.

Jordan, who owns three companies in Elkhart County, said that making a budget is something he's used to.

"Every year, I have to live within my means," Jordan said. "Unfortunately, means are dwindling. We have to identify what the priorities are, capitalize on our strengths. We have to find ways to be more efficient." Jordan said he'd look at many options for revenue, but income taxes wouldn't be high on the list.

"I think St. Joseph County has phenomenal potential. We need to look at what works," he said. "We have a low cost of living, good transportation, amazing work ethic, educational opportunities. We just have to collectively capitalize on it." When it comes to leaf pickup, Jordan said he hopes changes made to the program make it easier on residents this fall.

"I have 13 oak trees. It takes me about 24 hours to do," Jordan said. "My son has asthma. My wife is a doctor. Everyone benefits from better air quality." But, if this year doesn't go well, Jordan said maybe alternatives -- a subsidy or reimbursement system -- should be considered.

County Council District C Incumbent Jamie O'Brien, Republican, will face Democrat Chris Stackowicz on the ballot.

Stackowicz, owner of cstackstudios and a former professor at Bethel College, said an emphasis on unique and creative ways to bring in revenue might be the solution for St. Joseph County. He used the redevelopment of the Hoffman Hotel into artists lofts as an example.

"More creative cultural endeavors will attract residents," Stackowicz said. "You need to not just cut the budget, but look at revenue streams. I think there are creative ways to bring in revenue." Stackowicz himself is no stranger to creative projects; he painted the overpass on South Bend's Michigan Avenue.

O'Brien declined to be interviewed for this story.

County Council District H Incumbent Bob McCahill, Democrat, is challenged by Terry DeMaegd, Republican, for County Council District H.

DeMaegd said that the county's budget pressures are concerning, but he sees a few solutions.

"I don't necessarily believe in smaller government -- I believe in efficient government," he said. "We should also be promoting revenue, creating a good climate for businesses so they do come to St. Joseph County." DeMaegd called himself "pro-business and pro-job," and said local business owners have said they need an educated work force in relevant areas.

McCahill said that he thinks increases in user fees -- specifically for such things as marriage licenses and birth certificate copies, but not park fees -- could provide at least some funding.

He doesn't want to increase taxes. He also thinks there will still be further budget cuts, but that county officials need to keep in mind that some employees might leave if pay stagnates.

Unopposed candidates On the ballot, current Assessor Rosemary Mandrici, Democrat, is unopposed, along with current St. Joseph County Sheriff Mike Grzegorek, Democrat, and County Council District E member Diana Hess, Democrat.

[email protected] 574-235-6209 @AmandaGraySBT ___ (c)2014 the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.) Visit the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.) at www.southbendtribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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