Local Candidates Speak at Forum

Jasper- Tuesday night featured some of the candidates for the November municipal election.

Those running opposed received the opportunity to give a three minute speech on who they are and why they would be the best candidate for the position they were vying for.

In attendance, in order of speech appearance:

  • Kerstein Knies (Jasper Clerk Treasurer)
  • Bridgette Jarboe Bartley Jasper Clerk Treasurer)
  • Daniel Kreilein (Jasper Council- At Large)
  • Nancy Eckerle (Jasper Council- At Large)
  • Phil Mundy (Jasper Council- At Large)
  • Dave Hurst (Jasper Council District 4)
  • Vincent Helming (Jasper Council- District 4)
  • Chad Lueken (Jasper Council- District 3)
  • Neil Elkins (Huntingburg Mayor)
  • Tim Wehr (Huntingburg Council- At Large)
  • Pam Bolte (Huntingburg Council- District 4)

All candidates for the Municipal Election were invited to attend. 

Also in attendance was Jason Hagen, Chairman of Jeep Strong. Hagen spoke on the proposed tax referendum voters in the Northeast Dubois School District will be voting on their ballots. 

“The property tax increase requested in this referendum was originally approved by the voters in 2016 and if extended, will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a residence within the school corporation by 22.2% and if extended will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a business property within the school corporation by 22.2%,” Hagen said, "Increase of 22.2% what? I assure you that it doesn’t mean if approved that your overall property taxes would increase by 22.2%! So what does 22.2% actually represent? The .18 cent referendum is a cap so the corporation utilizes what it needs of that cap each year. For example, the current school tax rate is 97.7 cents and current year referendum amount this year is 16.63 cents. You must take the difference of these numbers to get the non referendum tax rate of 81.07 cents. Then take the 18 cent cap divided by the non referendum tax rate of 81.07 cents. So what’s that saying? It’s pretty simple! 18 cents equals 22.2% of the overall non referendum tax rate. That’s it! Since this is a proposed renewal of our current rate the word increase is not important. 18 cents is 18 cents or 22.2%. A better word could have been used like continuation but the rules are the rules."

The 2023 Municipal election is November 7th.