The top three issues facing the Madison County Council are taxes, economic development and the budget. The current council is confronted with issues of money, how to bring more in, provide services and not jab taxpayers.

Finding funds and controlling additional spending will be a delicate balance for the council as it works with the city of Anderson following the council’s defeat of the city’s proposed county option income tax. The rejection came after the council approved a wheel tax, adding $25 to the cost of vehicle registrations in the county.

The county council is now fully aware the taxpayers cannot bear the brunt of a growing county budget. We need council members who have expertise in thinking outside the budget box.

We think Larry Crenshaw, Mike Phipps and Steve Sumner are best suited for the roles.

Six candidates are running for three at-large county council seats. Though candidates must file by political party, voters can choose any three of the six. We’re supporting Crenshaw, Phipps and Sumner.

Though we think a balance of council members from the two major political parties is important, the overriding factor should be individual qualifications. In this case, the three candidates we believe are best suited for the job happen to be Republicans. If these three are elected, the balance on council would be three Democrats and four Republicans.

Crenshaw, a city detective and a council incumbent, has suggested the consolidation of county offices and enforcing a no-frills budget. It’s promising that Crenshaw is building upon his expertise to try to tighten operating costs in courts and law enforcement administration.

Phipps, an international tax analyst, brings a different perspective to the fiscal dilemma. He urges government to live within its means. We look forward to the details he would bring to council, notably his hopes to bring competition into county services and financial accountability.

Sumner, a pastor, was selected by Republicans in January to fill a vacated seat on council. He recognizes that county service assessment must be a continual process. He suggests a review of the local food and beverage tax, of which a large portion goes into city coffers. He recognizes that, as set up currently, government tends to spend money or lose funding. He considers that a waste.

At a candidate forum in October sponsored by The Herald Bulletin and WHBU-AM radio, Anthony “Ty” Bibbs didn’t elaborate on his plans in keeping taxes low or attracting more business. He did suggest consolidation of county services, but he wasn’t clear on specifics. Bibbs, who ran for Anderson mayor in 2007, has a passion for public service and a good mind. His commitment, seasoned with more experience, could make him a good public official in the near future.

Brandon McCoy, an energetic candidate, had the entire county in mind with a proposal to attract a plan that makes ethanol from trash, one way to solve landfill problems. But some of his ideas need solid study first.

Larry Higgins might be too focused on law enforcement and hasn’t developed clear initiatives. Of the six, Higgins was the only one who said he was in favor of the county option income tax; that’s not a negative, but government has to reduce itself first.

The six candidates bring unique personalities to the table. We hope all stay involved in future talks on county government.