Commissioner Tom Linkel has served a vital role in Franklin County Government and community affairs for years.  He was first elected to Franklin County Council and served two years from Jan. 1, 2009, to Dec. 31, 2010, and was then elected to serve as Franklin County Commissioner from Jan. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2022.  Public service has been in the Linkel family lineage as Tom followed in the footsteps of his father, Louis Linkel, who served for many years as a beloved Franklin County Commissioner.  

Tom has been an integral part of improving the infrastructure of county roads, working with the Franklin County Highway Department to continually upgrade bridges in the county, and obtain the necessary equipment for the highway department to perform their duties. Through economic development, Tom has been instrumental in improving the quality of life for Franklin County citizens while preserving Franklin County's rural community.

During COVID-19, Tom was a pillar in guiding the county and community during that unprecedented time.  He assumed the position of President to the Commissioners during the pandemic when it became necessary to fill in and carry on county government business.  He implemented resolutions and ordinances to assist county offices to work together to carry out fundamental business during those very difficult times.

As President of the Commissioners, he worked together with the COVID-19 Task Force and helped guide county employees and volunteers to actively assist all forms of government during the health crisis.    

Due to Tom's valiant efforts, the Nativity scene remains on the Franklin County Courthouse square.  He fought for the religious freedom of every Franklin County citizen when Franklin County was served with a lawsuit to try to force the removal of the Nativity scene from the courthouse square.  With Tom's leadership, the county fought hard to stand firm and protect this beloved part of the November Noel tradition.  Due to his persistent efforts to stand his ground, citizens of Franklin County can still gather annually to adore the decades-old Nativity scene proudly displayed on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn.  

One of his core beliefs has been securing citizens' constitutional rights.  He was influential in securing Franklin County gun owners' rights with the passage of an ordinance allowing citizens to protect and keep their constitutional rights under the Second Amendment. 

Commissioner Linkel always has an open ear to better improve emergency services in Franklin County to better serve the citizens and the volunteers who untiringly give their free time.  His current undertaking is working to acquire a separate building for the county dispatch center and provide upgraded equipment.

Tom was instrumental in moving forward with zoning codes and regulations that had not been updated since the 1960s.  As a local business and property owner, Tom endeavored to make the codes and regulations fair for everyone without overburdening or overtaxing citizens.

With his agricultural background with roots from his family farm in Batesville,, he has always supported Franklin County's 4-H youth.  Tom has supported the funding of a new 4-H Expo Center which will also enhance and improve Franklin County's Park system with the addition of this center. 
Franklin County School has a mentor/internship program which Commissioner Linkel supports by inviting students to work in various county government offices.  From this mentoring internship program, the county has hired several students from that program to be county employees.
Prior to becoming an elected official, Tom's private company helped replace a slab on Yellow Bank Road for the removal of a low water crossing to benefit the residents of that area to be able to travel during high-water conditions.  His company, Linkel Company, received an award for the building of that structure.  

Linkel and Linkel Company were also awarded the SAARA Award for supporting Stayin' Alive by placing Drug Free decals on Linkel Company trash trucks.

Tom is a member and actively contributes to the Masonic Lodge 156 at Metamora, being involved with various fundraisers throughout the year, together with donating equipment for those events.

Supporting community organizations has always been a top priority for Tom and he supports Batesville Community Education Foundation as well as Batesville Athletic Boosters.  He is also a member on several boards including  the Hoosier Hills Water Board and Southeast Indiana Solid Waste and Recycling Board.

In Tom and his wife Dee's spare time, you will find them on the family farm enjoying their children and grandchildren or traveling throughout the U.S.A. enjoying the landscape of our country.   

Commissioner Linkel is, and will continue to be, an asset to Franklin County moving forward with projects to protect and benefit all citizens.