Elkin cites roads, law enforcement as 'paramount'
COLUMBIA — Skip Elkin, the incumbent Boone County Northern District commissioner, is guaranteed a third term beginning in January. The Democrat ran unopposed in the August primary and faces no challengers on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
Elkin will enter his third term in office after a fiscal year that, so far, has seen sales tax revenue fall. The biggest challenge, he said, will be providing services with limited resources.
Roads and bridges are one of Elkin’s top priorities. Although county voters voted nearly a year ago to extend the half-cent sales tax for 10 years for roads that were first established in 1993, Elkin said that won’t be enough in the current economic climate.
“That basically keeps our head above water,” Elkin said of the tax. “In order to do some major capital improvement projects, we’re going to have to have a new revenue source from somewhere, somehow. We haven’t decided. Ultimately the voters will have to decide.”
Elkin said because of the nation's economic turmoil, now is a bad time
to be talking taxes, so any tax increases will probably be two years down the road. If economic growth continues to decline, Elkin said commissioners and other county officials will have to begin examining programs that are “enhancements.”
“We’re going to be fine in ’09,” Elkin said. “If things don’t turn around in 2010 … we’ll probably end up scaling back some projects or programs at that time if things don’t turn around next year.”
One particular passion of Elkin’s is law enforcement. Elkin’s grandfather, Frank “Bud” Elkin, served as sheriff of Boone County from 1964 to 1973. Elkin said he will make sure those in law enforcement continue to receive adequate resources and tools.
“Law enforcement and protecting our citizens is paramount,” Elkin said. “We have to make sure that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need.”
Elkin and his family have deep roots in northern Boone County. A longtime resident of Hallsville and a fifth-generation farmer, he was a member of the Hallsville Board of Aldermen before being elected to the commission in 2000. He also is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Centralia is among the cities that Elkin works with in the Northern District. Centralia Mayor Shelley Becker gave him a positive evaluation, describing him as someone with a “good head on his shoulders.”
“He’s very sensible, he listens to our concerns, and he’s always there,” Becker said. “He’s a friend to Centralia.”
Becker added that Elkin has been an advocate of cooperation throughout the county and of sharing good ideas.What works well in one place might also work well in another.
“He’s got his eye out for anything that’s going to help this area,” she said.