What are your thoughts on annexation and TIF districts?
TIF has increased manufacturing facilities and thus has increased employment. I had doubts initially but believe it is essential to overall growth.
Do you think the city needs to pursue solar energy? Why or why not?
I am on the fence on this one. It is very costly initially but takes approximately 20 years before you are actually saving on cost.
What do you think the city needs to do to improve public safety?
I think this is an area that we are doing quite well.
Are there any infrastructure (roads/sewer) projects you think the city needs to pursue?
Repair to local streets and roads. Upgrades to sewer, mainly to new areas recently incorporated into the city, and the older areas of the city and completion of Burkart Boulevard south of the city to the airport. It is essential to complete this due to traffic backup on U.S. 50 due to the increased number of trains going through Seymour.
What improvements do you think need to be made to our parks?
There may be a need to upgrade the pool, but proceeds from the annual Cars and Guitars has upgraded playground equipment.
Do you think any changes need to be made to the public transportation system?
Our public transportation system is 80% funded by federal and state grants. It requires that we operate in the city limits, which prevents us from going to Brownstown. If we violate the guidelines, there are a number of other cities on the waiting list. We may need to increase runs on the weekend, but having enough drivers may be an issue. Their annual budget is approximately $375,000, but due to the grants, the city pays only $75,000 of the total.
What ways do you feel the city should increase revenue and/or cut expenses?
The state allows the city to increase budgets annually about 2% to 3.5%. That is our limit. We cannot increase above the limit, so we have to reduce requested needs of various departments to meet state guidelines.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Hudson file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Lloyd Hudson
Occupation: Substitute teacher for Seymour Community School Corp.
Party: Democrat
Government offices held: Seymour City Council and Seymour Airport Authority
Education: Bachelor of Science in business from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business
Community affiliations: Church, The Point (previous board member, current Bible teacher), service groups: Jackson County United Fund (10 years)
Family: Wife, Shirley Hudson; three children; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren
[sc:pullout-text-end]