The principal objective of government
is to provide its essential services at high
quality levels as efficiently as possible. For
Johnson County this includes streets, sewers,
safety, libraries, parks, and human services.
The principal duty of the County Commission
is to assure that these services are well provided.
Beyond that central function, my areas of concentration
will be:
1. Improve funding for public
schools. I support the use of county sales tax authority
to provide “bridge” funding for
public schools over the short term. The County
Commission can be an advocate for, and rallying
point for support of, proper funding of public
education.
2. Shape county expenditures to address
the urban character of the County. Johnson County is now an urban community. The
County budget must increasingly be directed
at needs such as infrastructure, transportation,
and storm water control in the urban areas of
the county. These objectives can best be achieved
through county-city cooperative efforts.
3. Develop amenities within Johnson
County.
I support the MAP 2020 plan of the Parks and
Recreation Department and will support full
funding of that initiative. The county should
develop cultural and social focal points that
define and identify the county as a community
with common interests. I support devoting 1% for art from County capital improvement projects.
