Priorities for the Future

Looking to the future of Southern Indiana, Matt is laser focused on key initiatives that will help continue to drive job creation and public safety for our community.

Continued Job Growth Through Workforce Development

A recurring goal for public leaders on all levels is to attract good-paying jobs. Matt feels his top priority in need of attention is that of workforce development. The local Chamber of Commerce (One Southern Indiana) repeatedly reports the number one obstacle of bringing high-paying jobs to Southern Indiana is an under-skilled workforce. Matt's goal is to reach out to other local leaders in business, industry, and education to help bridge the gap, ensuring we have the ability to meet the growing demand for a skilled workforce. Pursuing good public policy to lift the barriers to education and job training will be a top priority.

Continued improvement to local Infrastructure WITHOUT raising taxes!

Over the last several years, the City of Jeffersonville has put a heavy focus on Infrastructure improvements. We have been able to successfully tackle what many have termed "generational" projects around the city with a collaborative effort.
From 10th Street improvements; to the Holman's Lane widening; to the stormwater separation Downtown, I have worked to ensure our infrastructure keeps up with growth seen in all areas of the city. And we're doing so WITHOUT asking for a single tax increase. The fact is, we have worked incredibly hard to protect our tax payers because we know that at home, every dollar counts. Matt has worked with other members of the City Council and Redevelopment Commission to ensure the City remains in the best financial shape possible. Because of this, the City currently sits debt-free from any General Fund (where your residential taxes are collected) obligations.
Further, Matt has led the City Council in recent years to prioritize and increase funding for annual repaveming of current City streets in need of repair, and has worked as Secretary of the Redevelopment Commission to prepare for the widening and improvement of Charlestown Pike.

But our infrastructure-needs are more than just in our roads and streets. Addressing crumbling (or sometimes missing) sidewalks, as well as addressing long-standing flooding concerns are also at the top of the priority list for Matt. As a member of the City Council, Matt has consistently voted in support of flood relief in areas of the City where problems have gone unaddressed for too long. Projects such as the drainage mitigation project in the Cherry Hill neighborhood have been accelerated with dollars invested from our local income tax, while other areas such as the Golf View neighborhood who are finally seeing the effects of flood-mitiagtion projects upstream. Downtown areas are being serviced in a combination of ways that include partnerships between the City Sewer Utility, the Jeffersonville Redevelopment Commission, and even the Town of Clarksville!

Less Spending, Lower Taxes

As a husband, father, and home-owner Matt realizes the strain of high property taxes. On the City Council, Matt has been committed to balanced budgets and cutting unnecessary spending. Did you know that the City's property tax rate has actually gone down over the last five years? Factors such as property value and taxes levied by other units (ie. School taxes, County taxes, etc.) may be climbing higher, but the Jeffersonville City Council has been committed to doing whatever possible to responsibly manage our budgets without the need for tax increases. Matt pledges to continue to approach the City's budget with the same attitude of putting taxpayers ahead of government inefficiencies.