The Issues

Taxes and Budgets
Education
Roads
Economic Development
Public Safety
Residential Growth and Agriculture Preservation
Recreation
 

Taxes and Budgets
I do not support a transfer tax. I oppose tax increases and new taxes. I support lowering the caps on assessments. I will vote to fund our priorities within the revenue stream available to the county. I will maximize our funding from the state and federal levels of government. I will solicit financial and volunteer support from citizens and the private sector for the critical areas of education and recreation. In other words, I will seek voluntary forms of contributions rather involuntary tax hikes. [Top]

Education
Carroll County is blessed with outstanding schools. Our test scores are extremely high. There’s a spirit of teamwork and nurturing present in each of our schools.

Many deserve credit for our successes. Dr. Charles Ecker and his team have provided superior leadership and vision. Teachers and other educators have selflessly devoted their lives to our students. Parents support our schools in countless ways. Finally, students have cultivated a love for learning as well as relationships that build a sense of community and encouragement of excellence.

Our chief challenges in education revolve around teacher retention and recruitment and keeping up with infrastructure needs. Certainly a strong budgetary commitment to education is a top priority.

We also need to restore relationships between the various elected officials that impact education. It takes effort to build relationships that lead to improved results. A careless quote here and a misunderstanding there can destroy years of effort toward building effective working relationships.

Finally, we need to become more aggressive at securing financial and other donations from businesses and other private sector actors. We have laid a solid foundation at recruiting such support. As Commissioner, I would shine a spotlight on such efforts as well as directly working for such support. [Top]

Roads
We need to do more to secure state funding of our road needs. Strengthening the relationships and improving communication of priorities between the Commissioners and our County Delegation should enhance our ability to secure greater funding. When we are unified the possibilities are almost limitless. When there are divergent priorities and relational friction between different levels of government our effectiveness will be limited. [Top]

Economic Development
Our current inventory of property places an unfortunate burden on residential real estate taxes. In general, residential uses of real estate cost more in services than they pay in taxes, especially as compared to commercial and industrial uses.

Our neighboring counties have a stronger tax base because they have relatively more commercial and industrial land use. These uses are net tax gains for the county in terms of revenue versus services.

Our lack of balance in land use has existed for many years. It is time for our next Board of Commissioners to truly do something about it. Our current county economic development office is well staffed. We need serious leadership and vision at the top to attract the best of commercial and industrial business.

As a local attorney and business owner, I’m very familiar with the needs of business. Sometimes something as simple as a perceived attitude can cause a business to select one county over another.

Local job creation has a second benefit in reducing commuting times for our citizens. As Commissioner I will make sure business owners know that Carroll County welcomes their investments and jobs in our community. [Top]

Public Safety
Historically we have been blessed with low crime rates and dedicated services from volunteer fire companies. Numerous challenges are on the horizon in this area. Our detention center is near capacity. Our Resident Trooper program will not be allowed to expand due to state priorities. Our volunteer fire companies face numerous challenges such as recruiting and financial pressures.

Clearly our budgets need to reflect our priority to public safety. However, spending alone is not a measure of leadership.

For example, alternatives to local incarceration in the detention center need to be utilized. Also, Resident Deputies are an alternative to Resident Troopers. Finally, as Commissioner I will use my position as a bully pulpit to foster support for our volunteer fire companies for both volunteer and financial support. [Top]

Residential Growth and Agriculture Preservation
In many ways our infrastructure has failed to keep up with growth. Our roads and school infrastructure are very stressed. Our farmers feel under-appreciated and are under tremendous financial pressure from various factors such as fuel prices and other market forces. All these factors have lead to a pressure cooker of interests on growth. We need thoughtful long-range planning to limit residential growth and steer it toward appropriate areas.

We need to be sure we don’t force farmers into selling to developers. Our first approach to sound planning should be dialogue, not litigation.

Agriculture preservation is a legitimate tool to save the family farm. Such programs alone will never resolve growth pressures. Strong economic viability for family farmers is the ultimate key to limiting farms being paved over by development.

As Commissioner, I will ensure the zoning officials do not harass legitimate agri-business uses. I’ll encourage family farmers to explore creative and niche agricultural uses of their land to preserve our heritage and quality of life. [Top]

Recreation
Our recreational facilities are stretched very thinly. As with education spending, I will develop alternative funding sources to build needed facilities. The volunteer work of recreation councils and athletic associations needs to be honored by providing our families with first class facilities. [Top]

MICHAEL D. ZIMMER
"A Leader Who Listens"

Authority Friends of Michael D. Zimmer. Kent Johnson, Treasurer.