By Dr. Jeff Bird—
MUNCIE, IN—I admit I didn’t truly understand much about how our County was governed. While I hold sacred my right to vote and exercise that right regularly, I consider myself an “apolitical person.” In today’s political climate, I’m often befuddled as to why anyone would want to run for elected office and subject themselves to the relentless scrutiny and onslaught of criticism rampant in our society. I’m old and it just doesn’t feel right to me. Why do we have to be so “politically divided” when it feels like we all seek similar outcomes—the pursuit of Life, Liberty and Justice for all.
How could I better educate myself about County government? Why not go to a source responsible for just such? I interviewed elected Delaware County Commissioner Stephen Brand to get his thoughts on how his election to this position was going so far, and his impressions of the governance of our great County.
Stephen was born in Muncie and raised in the Cowan area, graduating from Cowan High School. He spent much of his high school years at the Muncie Area Career Center, becoming immersed in learning skilled trades. These skills served him well in his early career, becoming proficient in the tool and die trade. He worked for several years as a journeyman tool and die maker for multiple small businesses including ones he owned and ran.
He then spent 14 years with General Motors/New Venture Gear in Muncie working across multiple manufacturing disciplines and advanced to the position of plant supervisor. Brand then helped launch Magna Powertrain in Delaware County and spent 20 years there, the final 14 of which he served as General Manager of Magna Powertrain Americas. He retired in 2024 and made the decision to consider a run for Delaware County Commissioner when a position was vacated by a sitting commissioner.
Brand felt his dedication to servant leadership, love for our area, and his experience in the private sector could help him excel at the task of a commissioner. His leadership style is one of immersion, and he brings experience in organizational optimization and policy and procedure to his role. Early in his tenure, which began officially in January of 2025, he attended as many public meetings as he could to learn about towns, townships and the governmental areas he would help lead.
So, what exactly does a County Commissioner do? The County Council handles the finances, setting budgets and appropriating funds, and setting county tax rates. The Council is also the only fiscal County body that can borrow money on the County’s behalf. It’s the job of the 3 Commissioners to run the day-to-day operations of the County.
Commissioners are elected from each of the 3 regions in Delaware County, and they serve staggered terms. They help coordinate the several offices where the leaders are elected officials – think circuit court judges, county clerk and auditor, coroner, sheriff. Delaware County has 24 elected County officials.
Most of these elected officials have the autonomy to do their work and answer to appointed boards. The Commissioners have leadership responsibility for other County departments of which there are 34. The County employs over 500 people. The commissioners generally meet on the first and third Mondays each month and their meetings are open to the public.
The role of the commissioner is vast and impacts all the citizens of Delaware County. Brand hopes to represent the public with “transparency, knowledge, and a deep sense of commitment to help others succeed and leave the people, organizations and community stronger than he found it.”
The post Dr. Jeff Bird: A Better Understanding of Delaware County Governance appeared first on Muncie Journal.
