Issues - Leah Beyer for Bartholomew County Council District 2

Meet Leah Beyer

Leah Beyer, President of the Bartholomew County Council, has a record of results focused on property tax relief, infrastructure investment without new taxes, public safety, workforce support, and job-creating economic development.

A close-up of a sleek, transparent glass funding jar labeled "Youth Services" in bold blue lettering, filled with an array of brightly colored and neatly folded currency notes. The jar sits on a modern metallic desk with clear, minimal lines and a small stack of budget binders nearby. Cool, diffused daylight filters softly through frosted glass panels behind, lending a balanced, calm, and forward-thinking mood. The shot is composed with a shallow depth of field, the jar in sharp focus, background tastefully blurred. The artistic style is clean, modern, and subtly vibrant, suitable for conveying trust in responsible, progressive investment.

A lifelike miniature diorama of a county highway winding through lush green fields and gently rolling hills, featuring finely painted road markings and tiny, realistic model trees. The diorama is placed atop a broad meeting table in a sunlit, professional civic workspace, with selective focus highlighting the road as the central feature. Early afternoon natural light pouring in from tall windows illuminates the scene, creating vibrant, crisp detail and soft, inviting shadows. The composition applies the rule of thirds, emphasizing forward movement and responsible development, with a modern, optimistic, and highly realistic aesthetic.

Results for Bartholomew

Property Tax Relief & Fiscal Stewardship (2023–2025)

Certified General Fund property tax rates declined over the 2023–2025 budget cycles, reflecting disciplined levy management and responsible budgeting by the County Council.
- 2023 → 2024: Rate reduction achieved through levy controls and budget prioritization.
- 2024 → 2025: Additional reduction following adoption of the 2025 budget.
Budgets were adopted while:
- Maintaining core county services
- Supporting employee compensation and benefits
- Funding roads, public safety, and courts
Emphasis on long-term affordability rather than short-term fixes that would increase tax burdens on residents.

Outcome: Lower certified tax rates paired with continued investment in essential services.

Roads & Infrastructure Investment (Without New Taxes)

2024–2025: Approved $1 million for road overlays, extending pavement life and reducing future repair costs.

Additional Highway Fund appropriations supported:

Maintenance and materials
Equipment and operational needs

Wheel tax avoided:

Leah worked with Council to fund roads without implementing a wheel tax, protecting residents from a new recurring tax.

Emphasized reallocation, levy discipline, and existing revenue sources instead of new fees.

Outcome: Improved roads without increasing tax burdens.

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Law & Order Prioritized

Public Safety & Courts

Sheriff’s Department
- Funded overtime for road officers to maintain adequate public safety coverage.
Courts & Justice Programs
- Approved expansion of the Prosecutor’s five-year plan to add deputy prosecutors and investigators in an intentional and impactful way to help ensure we keep criminals off the streets.
- Supported Veterans Court and addiction-focused problem-solving courts.
- Ensured continued funding even as state support declined.
Coroner Operations
- Approved capital investments to improve safety and operational readiness.

Outcome: Stable, well-funded public safety and justice systems.

Workforce & Employee Policy Improvements

In collaboration with the County Commissioners, Beyer helped implement maternity and paternity leave for county employees, modernizing county policy to better support working families and improve employee retention.