Meet Upper Macungie Supervisor Candidate Jim Brunell

Jim Brunell

Age: 47

Family: Married, with two daughters

Political party affiliation: Republican

Tell us about your educational background: Southern Lehigh High School/Penn State University

Tell us about your professional/business background:  I am currently employed by Optimum Controls Corporation in Reading. My current position is General Manager. This role requires managing operations for the company, which is comprised of 95 employees. Many are degreed engineers, project managers, system programmers and various manufacturing and field/production personnel. We design, manufacture, program and install digital control systems, automatic temperature control systems, CCTV systems, security systems and electrical distribution systems. Having project and corporate profit and loss responsibility as well as HR management responsibility has sharpened the skills required for this position. Our market is mainly in the public sector.

Why are you running for supervisor?: I have been attending monthly meetings for several years. The current board is spending money at a rate that can not be sustained without a tax increase. It is apparent that they feel that our current tax rate is low, even after a recent 100 percent increase and therefore we can continue to spend every cent we collect. We have many issues within our community that will require capital. Traffic is a big concern.  Many areas will require investments to upgrade the roads and intersections to accommodate the increase in traffic. We have already increased the lanes on Route 100 and that is not enough. The new police force has some unknowns with respect to steady state expenses. The now disbanded Berks-Lehigh Regional Police department has both legal as well as underfunded pension funds that are still not addressed. The underfunded pension fund could cost the township in excess of over $500,000. We have a dam that the DEP is forcing the township to mitigate. Over the last several years our township has taken on several large projects, however our revenue has also drastically increased. We have increased our revenue at the township via a 100 percent tax increase. In addition to the tax increase, new local services tax was levied over the last couple of years and has also increased our revenue.  Yet our budget has no monies set aside to be placed back into the "rainy day" capital fund.  This fund, at one time, was $7 million. Today this fund is around $3 million, even with the increases in revenue. We all know we live in a great community, that is why we all moved to Upper Macungie. I want to work, to be able to sustain what we have, listen to the community, and act responsibly for the people of Upper Macungie.      

What qualifies you to serve on the board of supervisors?: Over the past 20 years I have helped Optimum Controls build a company of dedicated, hard working employees that are there for us when we need them. We have loyal customers and vendors. Anyone in business knows how difficult it is to build a 90-to0100 employee successful company.   

What do you see as the board's/commission's primary role and responsibilities?: The Board provides direction for the township. All township business is approved by the Board.  In order to do this, it takes input from the planning commission, Solicitor, Engineers, Department Heads and most importantly, the township residents.  A Board member should not have an agenda except to act in the townships best interest.  

Tell us about three major challenges facing Upper Macungie and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):  The closure of the Berks-Lehigh police worries me. I think that, depending on how the litigation and pension negations go, we will be faced with a large expense. This township is still growing. This growth comes in the form of private and corporate residents. This has been, and will continue to be, a challenge to manage this growth.The township will always be challenged to manage our funds in responsibly. In the past, I don't think we have done everything that could be done to maximize our tax dollars.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing Upper Macungie over the next six years?: To prevent our township from becoming like so many other municipalities, broke and selling off valuable assets to cover the deficit.  

How would you control traffic and development in within the township?: This problem started years ago when the land was zoned, re-zoned, and the developments began. Any re-zoning that occurs must be done with traffic in mind.  Some of the existing corporate residences may be willing to contribute funds to help address some of the existing issues surrounding the warehouse and corporate areas. In the future, the developers that come before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors must be held accountable for the traffic issues. One note to the residents, the only way to really know what is going on with respect to the developments is to attend the planning commission and township meetings. I wish more residents would show up at these meetings.  A voice can still be very powerful.

How much of a priority is spending/keeping tax increases to a minimum?: I think that my answers listed above have outlined my concern for our spending habits as well as keeping taxes as low as possible. The Board is entrusted with $15-to-$16 million of taxpayer funds every year. It is the Board's responsibility to use those funds responsibly and with respect for the residents' wishes.  

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded?: I have reluctantly taken $100 from my mother and father, who are township residents. In addition, I have taken $500 from a close friend who lives in Long Island. I have not felt comfortable with asking anyone for money.  To date, I have funded the rest of the campaign. I will most likely spend in the range of $3,000.  

Do you have any endorsements?: Did not answer.

Do you use social media?: Did not answer.