- What policy changes or investments are necessary to encourage broader employment and business investment in the county?
Infrastructure is one of the most important investments we can make in Morgan County. Roads and bridges may not be flashy, but they matter every day for first responders doing their jobs, families getting to work and school, farmers moving equipment and crops, and keeping local commerce moving.
Reliable broadband is another issue I hear about constantly. Living in the country, I understand how frustrating slow or unreliable service can be. With today’s demands in farming, healthcare, education, business, and commerce, dependable internet is essential. Good, common-sense decisions about roads, bridges, and broadband take planning, steady leadership, and listening to what people actually need. That’s the approach I bring as we work to support jobs, commerce, and families across all of Morgan County.
- What one part of county government would receive more attention if you were elected?
If elected, I would give more attention to how county decisions are made and whose voices are heard. From the outside, it’s clear that some residents feel disconnected from county government. I believe leaders need to take the time to listen, understand concerns, and be open about how decisions are made. Some things are best learned by doing the work, and I am ready to do that.
Good leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, learning, and showing up. I won’t pretend to have everything figured out on day one, and I don’t believe in making promises I can’t keep. What I do believe is that everyone across Morgan County deserves to be heard and respected, not just a select few.
- What do you see as the most pressing needs for infrastructure or capital projects in the county?
The most pressing infrastructure need in Morgan County is taking care of what we already have. Our roads and bridges are aging, and when maintenance gets pushed off, it usually costs more later. Staying on top of repairs helps keep people safe and is simply the responsible thing to do with taxpayer dollars.
Another area that needs attention is county-owned buildings and facilities. Before talking about new projects, I believe we need a clear, firsthand look at the condition of what the county already owns, while also listening to what communities are saying they need from all corners of Morgan County. I want to see it, understand it, and know what truly needs attention. Capital projects should be practical, well planned, and focused on real needs, not ideas that look good on paper but don’t make sense on the ground.
- With the both of you (candidates) having never held elected office before, what is your experience with preparing or authorizing budgets?
I have not held elected office before, and I have not prepared a government budget. What I do have is experience working with money and understanding the responsibility that comes with it. At the radio station, I handle accounts receivable, and I have also worked with budgets in planning roles, including helping plan the American Agri Women Legislative Fly-In to Washington, DC.
Like many people in Morgan County, I care deeply about responsible spending and a balanced budget. The good news is the county is on solid financial footing, and recent audits show stability. At the same time, some outside revenue, including federal grant dollars, is not as consistent as it once was, which puts more pressure closer to home. Until I am in the seat, asking questions and digging into the details, I won’t pretend to know exactly where changes are needed. If elected, I will listen, learn, and make thoughtful decisions that respect taxpayer dollars.
- Morgan County’s Assessed Actual Value or AAV for property has increased by approximately 22% since 2020. Meanwhile, the typical property tax bill for a Morgan County parcel is roughly 1.5× what it was in 2020 and the population of the county in that same time period has continued to decrease between 1-2% annually. This means less people are paying more money on higher assessed property in the county. How do you plan to combat the property tax problem and the increasing assessment appeal issues at the county level?
Property taxes have gone up significantly for many people in Morgan County, and people are feeling it. I’ve heard from residents who have seen increases as high as 18 percent. Those kinds of jumps put real pressure on families, farmers, and small businesses. When businesses face higher property taxes, those costs often get passed along to customers, which affects everyone.
While the county does not set property values or school tax rates, it does have a role in fair assessments, a clear appeals process, and responsible spending. As a commissioner, my focus would be on transparency, asking tough questions, and making sure spending decisions are carefully reviewed so costs are not simply passed along. Every decision should respect the people who live and work in Morgan County and the importance of affordability.
- If new resources were available, what one area of county services would you feel most needs additional resources? What area has too much?
If new resources were available, I would put them toward things that people rely on every day. That means safe roads and bridges, strong public safety, and continuing to expand reliable broadband across the county. Those are the basics that matter to daily life, from first responders and school buses to farmers, families, and small businesses.
When it comes to areas with too much funding, I don’t think the answer is pointing fingers. I believe it’s taking a hard look at spending, asking what’s working and what’s not, and making sure priorities still make sense. My focus would be on shifting resources where they’re truly needed, not growing government just to grow
- What do you think is an appropriate ratio of local government employees to constituents?
I don’t think there is one set number that works for every county. Staffing needs depend on the size of the county, the services being provided, and how the work gets done day to da
This is something that becomes clearer once you are in the role and seeing the work firsthand. That said, it still requires careful review and good judgment, especially as it relates to the county budget. My approach would be to look closely at staffing levels, support the employees who do the work, and make sure resources are aligned with the services the county provides. The goal is a county government that uses taxpayer dollars responsibly, runs efficiently, and serves the people of Morgan County well.
- Would citizens get more effective services at a better rate if more functions of the county were accomplished by contracting with private providers?
In some situations, contracting with private providers can make sense. In others, it may not. What matters is whether it improves service, saves money, and keeps accountability to taxpayers.
I would look at these decisions case by case, ask questions, use common sense, and focus on what works best for Morgan County. The goal is better service at a fair cost, not outsourcing just for the sake of it.
- With the county’s meetings being held at 9 a.m. on a Monday morning, most people are unable to attend the meetings. How do you intend to communicate with the residents of Morgan County regarding issues effecting them?
Most people cannot attend a 9 a.m. Monday meeting, and I understand that. County government should still be accessible to residents, whether they are working, farming, or caring for family.
If elected, I would push for clearer communication through local media, simple online updates, and tools like Zoom when possible, along with being present in the community and available to talk one on one. People should not have to rearrange their lives to stay informed. My goal is open communication and making sure Morgan County residents feel informed and heard.
- Many residents are sharply divided on the siting of green energy projects. The projects bring higher returns on property taxes to the county but do cover up land that some argue could be used for agriculture, the county’s #1 unemployment. What is your stance on these projects?How do you plan to enforce the siting of these projects as well as road-use agreements?
People in Morgan County are divided on large-scale energy and development projects, and I understand why. Land matters here, whether it is used for farming, homes, or future growth. I also want to be clear about our own experience. As a family, we waited until late in the process before signing a wind agreement. We took our time, asked questions, and learned firsthand how personal and complicated these decisions can be.
Many of the rules for these projects are set at the state level, but the county still has a role. That role includes enforcing local ordinances, road-use agreements, and listening to concerns about land use. Agriculture remains a key part of Morgan County’s economy, and protecting productive farmland matters when we talk about long-term jobs and opportunities. My approach is to respect property rights, use common sense, and make sure companies are responsible for impacts to local roads and communities, not taxpayers.
- Morgan County currently does not have an economic 5-year plan. Do you plan to implement or draft one?
I was surprised to learn that Morgan County does not currently have a five-year economic plan in place, and I do believe the county would benefit from having one. Morgan County has strong people, businesses, and industries, including agriculture, but a plan can help give clearer direction and support thoughtful growth that serves the county well for generations to come.
If elected, I would support working with community leaders, businesses, farmers, and residents from all corners of Morgan County to help shape that plan. It should reflect local input, identify where growth makes sense, and serve the whole county, not just a select few.
- The previous administration of commissioners passed a resolution to support agriculture that was drafted by the local farm bureau. One could argue that the commissioners have done little if anything to aid farmers and agriculture in the county since the resolution was passed. How do you plan to support agriculture as a commissioner?
Agriculture is a big part of life in Morgan County, even for people who don’t farm. When agriculture is under pressure, the impact is felt well beyond the farm and across our communities.
My husband and I farm, and we talk about these issues a lot because they affect us, just like they affect families and businesses across the county. With the economy tight right now, farmers are also dealing with narrow margins and tight markets. I am involved with Cass Morgan Farm Bureau, along with Illinois and national agriculture organizations, which keeps me connected to what the agriculture industry is facing. I speak up for agriculture and rural communities in Springfield and Washington, D.C., and as a county commissioner I would be able to bring clearer county-level insight into those conversations. When agriculture struggles, the effects are felt across Morgan County.
