Boone County Commissioner Donnie Lawson, who is bidding for a third term, has served for eight years and has helped organize the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s an extremely important thing to pay attention to and to make sure you do it in the most correct way and respectful way,” Lawson said. “One of the things I do on an almost daily basis is talk to the other commissioners and also talk to the (Boone County) health department.
“They’re the experts in this, and we want to make sure we follow what they ask us to do.”
If reelected, Lawson, 57, plans to help the public better understand the workings of local government and make the business of the county commissioners is more transparent.
“All of us are really paying attention to our expenses, the details of our budgets and making sure we follow the direction of the council,” Lawson said. “They’re in charge of the budget, and we’re in charge of managing the county. Working together is one of the most important things as elected officials.”
Lawson said the pandemic has forced counties to adjust budgets and expectations, possibly for several years to come.
“Budgets are a huge thing right now because of the virus and what it has caused across the state and across the nation, and we need to pay really close attention to that and not overspend,” Lawson said.
A lifelong Thorntown resident, Lawson has a degree in animal science from Purdue University. He is a farmer and serves as a volunteer fireman. He and his wife, Tammy, have a daughter, Kay Leigh, and a son, Clay.
