“Local government should be more accountable, innovative, easier to work with, and with fewer lawsuits. I want to bring back a sense of optimism and vitality to our county that’s been missing for a long time.”
— Devin
Devin’s Vision for Madison County
- Fewer Lawsuits
- Responsible Oversight of the
New Jail Project (est. $100 Million) - More Miles of Paved Roads
- Commitment to Transparency
- Accountability to Taxpayers
(Open Door Law) - Public Input & Comments
- Measurable Results
A New Generation of Leadership
Pave More Miles of County Roads
As your next commissioner, I will make our county roads a top priority. We should expect more miles of county road paving for our hard-earned tax dollars. Madison County collects record tax revenues year after year and with record spending, mostly related to costly, avoidable lawsuits. Instead, the money we spend on legal fees could go toward more road paving for a difference you can see and literally feel as you’re driving on county roads.
Avoid Lawsuits while Lowering the County’s Legal Expenses
Madison County taxpayers have paid millions of dollars in legal fees because of lawsuits and conflicts of interest. As a working attorney, I’ll keep our county out of legal jeopardy by leveraging my negotiation skills and understanding of ethics and contract law to navigate potential legal disputes.
Grow the Tax Base to Reduce Everyone’s Burden
Of the eight doughnut counties surrounding Indianapolis, Madison County is the only one that’s not growing. We must be poised for growth if we expect to reverse the population decline forecast for Madison County by 2030. We can attract new residents to grow the tax base by marketing our county’s affordability to prospective new residents.
Timely and Responsibly Distribute Federal ARPA Funds
The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provided a $26 million cash windfall to Madison County to rescue the economy. But two years after COVID, Madison County still has no plan for the $20 million left over after funding government. ARPA funds were meant for immediate use to provide economic relief for citizens. The county should not be hoarding the money. We should promptly distribute the remaining funds for the long-overdue economic boost the law intended and that we urgently need.
Finally Resolve the 911 Call Center Dispute
Nine years after Madison County consolidated county and municipal police communications into one countywide 911 dispatch center, our commissioners find themselves in an unnecessary funding dispute with cities and towns, using legal threats to shut down their access to critical emergency communications, and endangering citizens countywide. This is a prime example of how our county attracts lawsuits that are completely avoidable and doesn’t know how to negotiate a resolution.
Return Civility, Humility, and Openness to the Commissioners’ Office
We will abandon the culture of secrecy and closed-door meetings, fiscal irresponsibility, and overall lack of transparency. Our county has lost respect and has developed an unflattering notoriety that is no fault of its citizens. Everyone will benefit from more civility, good judgement, and a servant’s mindset to the commissioners’ office. A departure from the old ways will be a refreshing change.
A Time for Change
2024: The Most Important Election of Our Lifetimes
In 2024, we will elect the next president of the United States, the next U.S. senator from Indiana, and the next Indiana governor. For Madison County, I’m your Republican candidate for Madison County Commissioner, District 2.
Among my concerns are the ballooning costs of our new county jail project, which will cost about twice that of Delaware County’s new jail built in 2020 for a mere $45 million.
Our commissioners’ earlier estimate was for an undersized 400-bed jail to be built in north Anderson for $85 million. Only recently did they revise the number of beds to 525, which some experts say is inflated Given further delays coupled with rampant inflation, it’s easy to see how the construction cost for our new jail could exceed more than the now-estimated $110.5 million.
A Return to Fairness and Fiscal Responsibility
Little more than a decade ago, Madison County government made news for budget deficits, unpaid vendors, late property tax bills, voluntary pay cuts, and mandatory workforce reductions. But in the years since, we overcorrected our county’s financial situation to the point of bigger government and declining services.
Today, we have ballooning budgets, rising tax rates and assessments, and a massive revenue surplus at a time when families could use some tax relief. Additionally, we have a culture of perceived secret meetings, lawsuits against the county, and peculiar behavior from elected officials.
Poor planning and execution has gotten us into this predicament of having property tax rates in the top 25% highest in the state. If elected, I will return fiscal responsibility to the commissioners’ office. I will work closely with the county council to make realistic budgets. Also, I will appoint and hire competent persons of integrity, qualifications, compassion, and professional demeanor to Madison County.
About Devin
Devin T. Norrick was born and raised in Madison County to Scott & Jodi. He is the third of five children raised with conservative family values of hard work, integrity, and love of community.
He is a graduate of Lapel High School, Anderson University, and Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Devin is married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Ratzlaff. They reside in Anderson on their small farm and attend Life Church in Pendleton. Devin is a member of the Anderson Noon Rotary Club, board member for the Anderson Museum of Art and Madison County Chaplaincy Board.
In his free time, he enjoys farming, gardening, volunteering, serving at church, and exercise.