OLATHE - Johnson County Commissioner Ed Eilert today officially filed as a candidate for election as Chair of the Johnson County Commission. Eilert currently serves as Fourth District County Commissioner, a position held since his election in 2006.
Job growth, expanding private sector economic opportunity, and restoring fiscal restraint to the County’s budget will be priorities for Eilert. Eilert’s proven record on these matters bodes well for Johnson County residents. Eilert oversaw one of the biggest expansion of economic and job growth in the County during his 24 year tenure as Mayor of Overland Park.
“As mayor of Overland Park, I made sure that the city adapted rapidly to changing conditions in order to keep our budget in balance and our taxes low,” Eilert said. “Unfortunately, current county leadership is mired in the status quo, leaving our budget with projected deficits and our residents threatened by future tax increases.”
The economic well being of Johnson County depends on growing the private sector, which in turn provides greater employment, and expands the county tax base. It’s a long proven formula for quality of life, low taxes, and providing a catalyst to recruit national employers to Johnson County.
“Most of the economic development that has occurred in our county has been initiated by our cities and their local economic development teams,” Eilert explained. “That process should continue. However, I think we should move outside the box and take full advantage, in a collective effort, of our assets to support job growth and economic opportunity.”
Eilert points to the new KU/K-State Johnson County Research Triangle as an opportunity for the County to capitalize on an industry incubator that is unique in the country.
We need to maximize our communities’ marketing and recruiting efforts to bring job opportunities in the areas of human health and medical research, food safety, animal health, and related businesses.” Eilert said. “Such activity would also serve to expand the market for support businesses, creating additional job opportunities.”
“As County Chair I will establish a ‘JOBS FOR JOHNSON COUNTY TASK FORCE’ comprised of representatives of cities, local chambers of commerce and their economic development teams, state legislators, Johnson County Community College and university partners,” Eilert said, “Their mission will be to develop short and long term strategies to promote job creation in Johnson County, and to maintain the businesses already here.
Continued support for and working with metro area economic development agencies is an important component for future success, but the ultimate responsibility for our county’s economic success depends on our own initiatives.
But, Eilert points out, attracting businesses is heavily dependent upon strong County leadership, experienced in economic development, committed to fiscal restraint, sound budgeting procedures, and a mission to keep property taxes under control.
The current County Chair has promoted an environment in which it has become common practice to plan the spending of more tax dollars than the county receives. For instance, the October 2009 five year financial forecast (2011-2015) shows spending plans will exceed revenues by $128.3 million over that period. The plan masks the real impact, however, as it relies on drawing down the fund balance (reserves), of $57.6 million, and still leaves a significant $70.7 million deficit.
“Since my first county budget review, I have argued against that kind of budgeting and spending.” Eilert stated. We must plan and live within our means.”
Eilert says that his professional background in finance for over 40 years, his years of experience balancing government budgets and his proven ability to make the tough decisions qualify him to be the strongest voice in responsibly representing the taxpayers of Johnson County as their County Chair.
You can join the Ed Eilert for County Chair Campaign at www.edeilertforcountychair.com or by calling 913-681-1650
