Do you endorse LIFT and the Local Option Sales Tax?
I would need to read the legislation before rendering a decision.
Whether you are in support of lift or not, what projects do you see as priority that could benefit from community funding?
YMCA
In light of potential additional cuts at Fort Knox, will you continue to provide funding for One Knox? If not, what are you willing to do to protect the economic contribution of Fort Knox?
Yes, one Knox has and will continue to be an effective liason between Hardin County and the DOD.
Do you see any services provided by both County and City government where it would be more cost effective to combine these efforts?
There are utilities, fire and police services provided by both county and city governments. However, before a definitive answer could be given a thorough study of cost, oversight and efficiency would have to be conducted on a collective basis.
What strategic plans would you recommend in order to improve the finances of the Jail operations?
The jail is an unfunded mandate handed down by state government. If we are required to provide the jail the state legislature should be the funding arm. Stop and think about it, to enter the jail one must break a state law not a county law. County government is responsible for funding until that individual is convicted of his or her crime. The time for a conviction can vary greatly so the cost to residents of Hardin County has been in 2.5 to 3 million dollars annually for the past (3) years. Cost efficiency is a must going forward as well as innovative programs. Home incarceration and work to pay fines without incarceration to name two. The Rocket Docket has certainly been one area of improvement but it can only do so much.
What strategic plans would you recommend in order to improve the finances of the Landfill operations?
Added waste tonnage is the immediate answer. The debt service for the landfill bonds will conclude 2016, 2017and 2019 and at that time the landfill will actually be a positive revenue stream for county government.
The County does not currently have an employee occupational or business license tax; do you see a need to implement these taxes for the purpose of economic development for both existing small business as well as potential new business being attracted to the area?
The absence of an occupational tax in the county is in essence an economic development tool. As far as business license tax I am not in favor of taxes that further burden businesses. Consumption taxes are the more preferable taxes.
Do you see any changes to the governance structure of the Hospital?
No.
Do you think the County should keep the Hospital or eventually sell it?
The hospital which is actually Hardin Memorial Health System is the crown jewel of our county. I would not favor any discussion to sell our hospital.
Will you be a supporter of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce? For Judge Executive, will you attend the President Circle Members meeting and the regular Board Meetings?
I support the chamber efforts to create a better business environment for Hardin County. As in all organizations there may be individual issues I disagree with but as an organization I support the Chamber of Commerce.
Fred Clem Jr.
Magistrate District #4
Hardin County Fiscal Court
