White County Executive Q10 Candidate Responses

Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Executive candidates.

Here is your tenth question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

How will you prioritize infrastructure improvements, such as roads, public transit and parks?

DENNY WAYNE ROBINSON: All that is part of long-term planning, and is a top priority for me.

Long-term planning has always been a core part of my administration. While the county budget is, by law, adopted on a one-year basis, that annual budget is guided by multi-year goals, financial projections, and operational priorities.

As County Executive, I set long-term objectives and then use each annual budget cycle to move us closer to those goals with clear, measurable milestones. Many of the successes we are experiencing today did not happen by accident, they are the result of years of planning, disciplined decision-making, and financial stewardship.

Moving forward, I will continue to outline multi-year goals, identify key focus areas, and use long-range financial forecasting to guide decisions while ensuring each yearly budget advances those long-term plans. Responsible government requires both vision for the future and accountability year-to-year, and that balance has been, and will remain, a priority of my administration

KYLE GOFF: We will tie all infrastructure decisions to a long-term strategic plan. Rather than reacting year-to-year, we will evaluate needs over a horizon and prioritize projects that have the greatest impact.

We will prioritize roads and transportation based on usage, safety, and return on investment. White County maintains nearly 900 miles of county roads, and with paving costs around $140,000–$150,000 per mile, we must be intentional. Projects will be prioritized based on traffic volume, safety concerns, and their ability to support business development. We will invest in infrastructure that unlocks economic growth. That includes water and site readiness projects. One of our current weaknesses is the lack of available industrial sites and infrastructure in key areas. By improving infrastructure we make White County more attractive for both small businesses and larger employers.

We will thoughtfully work on public transit and connectivity where it makes sense. With nearly half of our workforce commuting outside the county and an average commute of about 25 minutes, there is an opportunity to explore targeted transit routes that connect people to jobs, childcare, and essential services.

We will invest in parks, trails, and quality-of-life infrastructure. This is not just recreational, it’s economic. Enhancing trails, bike lanes, and access to our natural assets like our 100+ miles of navigable waters and proximity to seven state parks, we can drive tourism while also improving the health and well-being of our residents.

PENNY WHALEY: I feel that infrastructure needs prioritized with improvements to funding for road upgrades, utilization of grants for upgrade and improvement to parks.

JOE HALLUMS: I would prioritize our roads as the number one of these infrastructure improvements. Safety should be the our focus for our citizens. In addition, the plan for industry growth and population growth demands it.

Public transit and parks should be considered as a long-term strategic plan.

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