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County commissioner candidates clash over jail plan, housing and county trust at League forum
Summary
At a League of Women Voters forum, Monroe County commissioner candidates Trent Decker and David Henry debated jail-siting and civil-rights compliance, affordable housing strategies, ICE cooperation and how to rebuild resident confidence in county government ahead of the May 5 primary.
Trent Decker and David Henry, Democratic candidates for Monroe County commissioner, debated priorities at a League of Women Voters forum in Bloomington, focusing on a stalled jail project, affordable housing, county transparency and public safety.
David Henry, a county councilor and former local election-board president, criticized prior plans for a large justice center that he said ballooned from an initial estimate to roughly $257,000,000 and told the audience he helped move the project away from an oversized North Park proposal. "In between November 2024 and February 2025, the price got up to $257,000,000 with no explanation from your current county commissioners on how that happened," Henry said, arguing the county must prioritize prevention, diversion and restorative-justice services rather than an oversized facility.
Trent Decker, also a county council member and the other Democratic candidate, said commissioners must ensure a facility meets constitutional-care standards and favors locating a jail within city limits close to service providers; he called ICE encroachment "not welcome" and pledged to work with other elected officials to resist it. "ICE and bullying is not welcome in this community as long as I'm a commissioner," Decker said.
On affordable housing, both candidates said county planning and collaboration are essential. Henry urged an updated comprehensive plan and revisions to an antiquated county development ordinance to attract housing choices and the "20 first-century jobs" he said the region needs; Decker emphasized bringing residents, business leaders and towns to the table and using county tools (including ARPA funds) to support community services that help families stay housed.
The candidates traded views on restoring public confidence in county government. Decker said residents want less fighting and more results; Henry urged stronger oversight of county departments, better communications with the public and support for frontline county employees.
On vote centers and election administration, both candidates described bipartisan work: Henry noted a bipartisan vote to move toward a vote-center model on the local election board; Decker cited experience as co-director of elections and supported vote centers if they preserve access to existing polling places.
The forum closed with both candidates reiterating priorities and the moderator reminding the audience that the primary is Tuesday, May 5, with early voting beginning Tuesday, April 7.
