The Plan to Unite Our Home
Building a Budget for Tomorrow
Under the current budget, Fairfield Township is projected to face funding shortfalls across several essential programs. At the same time, our township has seen a record number of appeals for denial of assistance—an alarming sign that more residents are struggling to make ends meet.
We must take proactive steps to secure the future of our community. As growth continues, requests for services will only increase. Many young people already find it difficult to afford housing that was once within reach, and that trend is likely to continue.
It is crucial that we do not raise taxes. With the cost of living already high and still climbing, our focus must be on making government more efficient—not more expensive.
This budget plan will begin by reducing unnecessary spending, streamlining operations, and identifying opportunities to lower costs responsibly and compassionately, including potential adjustments in staffing where needed.
If elected, my first action will be to reduce the trustee salary to the lowest number permitted by statute, and I will fully commit to serving as a full-time trustee. Fairfield Township deserves leadership that works tirelessly, leads by example, and puts the community first.
Together, we can build a more sustainable, affordable, and accountable future for Fairfield Township.
Accountability & Transparency
Accountability and transparency have been lost over the past four years under the current township administration. Through my years of working in state government, I have seen firsthand why these principles are essential to effective public service.
Local government serves as the first line of defense against unnecessary government bureaucracy because it is the level of government closest to the people. Township officials understand the needs of their neighbors better than anyone else. When accountability and transparency are lacking, public trust erodes and it strengthens arguments from some state legislators who believe township government should be reduced or replaced with larger county-level systems.
These concerns are not hypothetical. Over the years, lawmakers have introduced proposals to reduce the authority of township government or replace elected township officials with appointed county offices. If we want to preserve local control, we must demonstrate that township government can operate openly, responsibly, and effectively.
Rebuilding trust begins with making accountability and transparency the foundation of this office.
As your Township Trustee, I will make our budget clear, accessible, and easy for every taxpayer to understand. Proposed budgets, approved budgets, and other important financial documents will be published on both the township website and our social media platforms so residents can easily see how their tax dollars are being spent.
I will also livestream township meetings and post recordings online so residents can stay informed even if they cannot attend in person. Greater public access leads to greater public engagement, and greater engagement strengthens accountability.
The people of Fairfield Township deserve a government that operates in the open—not behind closed doors. My administration will be committed to earning your trust every day through honesty, openness, and responsible stewardship of your tax dollars.
When people reach out to the Trustee's Office, they are usually seeking help for a reason. Sometimes that reason is a disability, but often it is because they have lost their job. While unemployment benefits and SNAP provide important temporary assistance, they are often not enough to help recent homeowners keep their homes or renters stay current on their rent. As a result, many families turn to the township for assistance.
Township assistance exists not only to help our neighbors through difficult times, but also to help them get back on their feet. The best way to accomplish that is by helping people return to work.
When I am elected Trustee, my office will create a process focused on helping Hoosiers in our community reconnect with employment opportunities. We will work with recruiting agencies, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and workforce partners to connect residents with available jobs. We will also help prepare people for career transitions by connecting them with job training, resume assistance, interview preparation, and other employment resources.
This initiative will streamline existing workforce services and create a clearer pathway for those who are out of work to find meaningful employment. Our goal is to empower people to regain their independence and build a stronger future for themselves and their families.
Most people don't want to rely on government assistance longer than necessary—they want the opportunity to work, provide for their families, and succeed through their own hard work. As Trustee, I will make helping people get back to work a top priority because the strongest assistance we can offer is a pathway to self-sufficiency.
Getting Fairfield Back To Work
Tenant Rights are the Law
I believe deeply in the rule of law. Townships have both the authority and the responsibility to ensure that tenants' rights are protected and upheld.
I also understand that owning and maintaining rental property is not inexpensive. In some cases, landlords can lose tens of thousands of dollars because of difficult situations involving tenants. However, those challenges do not diminish the legal rights of tenants. Every person deserves to live in safe, clean, and decent housing.
At the same time, landlords have a responsibility to maintain their properties. They will not be allowed to contribute to blight in our township, nor will they be permitted to allow their tenants to live in unacceptable conditions.
When I am elected Trustee, my administration will do everything within its legal authority to enforce the law fairly and consistently. Government's most fundamental responsibility is to protect its people by upholding the law, and that is exactly what I will do as your Trustee.
Fighting for Stronger Fire Releif
I believe we need to be more financially prepared for the end of the service life of the equipment our firefighters depend on, especially high-cost apparatus that can cost the township hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace.
For example, replacing our fire tanker today would cost more than $800,000. By the time it reaches the end of its service life in 2046, the replacement cost will almost certainly be significantly higher due to inflation and rising equipment costs.
These are expenses we can—and should—plan for now. Building reserves for future equipment replacement allows us to avoid placing an unexpected financial burden on taxpayers through sudden tax increases or emergency funding requests. This is not a challenge we should postpone or ignore.
Failing to prepare today leaves the township more vulnerable tomorrow, especially since we cannot predict the financial or operational challenges our community will face over the next 20 years. Maintaining a long-term replacement plan and setting aside funds for critical emergency equipment will help ensure that the Fairfield Township Fire Department can continue to protect our residents safely, reliably, and effectively.
Providing for public safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of township government. Planning today for tomorrow's equipment needs is an essential part of fulfilling that responsibility.