It has been an honor to serve our community as City Councilman Position 2. We are fortunate to live in a community where neighbors matter, and people make a difference every day. My wife, Ritzy, and I have been married for 27 years and have 5 amazing kids, and have been blessed to call Shenandoah home for the past six years. We are actively invovled in several Shenandaoh community activities designed to make our community a better place to live, work, play and pray. These include the civic club, "Back The Blue", founder of the Shenandoah Citizens Forum Facebook page, Shenandoah Sells Facebook page, Shenandoah Cares Ministry, Home Rule Charter Committee, and City Councilman.
As a business owner for over 30 years I have managed multi-million dollar budgets, executive management teams, department heads, and staff. I have experience in start-up operations, growth and expansion, downsizing, re-organization, and day-to-day operations. Currently I am the Managing Partner for WMF Holdings, a real estate managment and development company, and SCR Memory Care, a long term care provider for seniors coping with Alzheimer's and other aged related dementias.
During the past 2 years I have had the privilege of serving as a Shenandaoh CIty Councilman. When I took office, there were many challenges facing the city. Such as, excessive employee turnover (20%+), frivilous unsettled lawsuits, large car allowances and executive bonuses, and the lack of oversight, accountability, and transperency just to name a few. Our campaign was focused on making "A Better Senandoah" through better fiscal responsibility, better city management, and better oversight, accountability and transperancy. I proud to be able to say "promises made, promises kept!"
In just 2 short years we have acheived:
Better Fiscal Responsibility
Increased general fund reserves from 81% to 107%
Decreased general government costs by 20.5%
Lowered tax rate to residents more in 2 years than the previous 8 years combined (includes free trash service)
Provided free residential trash service to off-set the state's ever increasing property tax appraisal system
Eliminated wasteful and frivilous spending
Eliminated car allowances (for new hires)
Eliminated bonuses for executive management positions
Eliminated Council meeting meals
Eliminated proposed $2.4 million bond with 10% water rate increase for water treatment plant
Re-negotiated previous City Administrator's contiversial severance package (known as the golden parachute):
The Golden Parachute - 24 month severance package = $443,476.65
Renegotiated Severance Package = $170,272.29
Savings back to Citizens = $273,204.36
Set policy for the City and MDD to split public works funding of repairs and improvements 25/75
Set policy to request MDD to review and fund all appropriate capital improvement projects
Better City Management
Created a better working environment to retain the best quality staff (reduced turnover rate to 7%)
Eliminated unnecessary staff positions
Set staffing goals to improve productive results
Focused on "Residents First" customer service programs
Revised Section II, 2.09 Communications of Employee Manaual to open communications between employees, department heads, and Council members
Contracted HR services with Gallagher Benefit Services to conduct compensation analysis, exit interviews, update job descriptions, and handle employee complaints and harrassment claims
Monthly reports and and annual budgets are completed by department heads
Oversight, Accountability, & Transparency
Installed video cameras in Council Chambers to broadcast all council meetings, budget workshops, & town halls
Hired records clerk to meet demand of open records request
Re-building website with integrated software to publish more financial information and raw data
Established an audit committee
Current 2 Star Recepient of Comptroler's 5 Star TransparencyProgram (Traditinal Finances & Debt Obligations) Just completed requirements for additonal 2 Stars for Contracts and Procurement, and Economic Development
Created new budget workshop process allowing greater transparency and longer public comment & involvment
Created Joint Session Meeting for City Council, Planning & Zoning, and Municipal Development District
Public Safety and New Legislation / code enforcment
Increased policing with 5 new officers
Installed License Plate Readers on cruizers and stationary units in neighborhoods
Devised new thoroughfare plan improving traffic flow on major arterials while limiting traffic in residential neighborhoods
Increased free permit costs limits on residential projects to $100,000
Passed new building code policies to ease permit process for homeowners
Worked with City Attorney and Sex Offender's Registry Police Task Force to write and pass a Sex Offenders Residence Restriction Ordinance to prevent sex offenders from moving into our neighborhoods or residing at our hotels
Created water conservation rebate program for residents and businesses
Incumbent. Long list of verified accomplishments. Proven record.
Has correct chain of counsel – God first, then others
Removed restrictions for City staff, now able to talk directly with City Council.
Increased general fund reserves from 80% to 107%, putting the City in a financially strong position.
Improved work conditions for staff, lowering the former high turnover rate from over 20% down to 7%.
Stopped a $2.4 Million bond for a water well, thereby keeping residents' water bill from increasing by 10%. Instead, the City paid cash for the needed water well.
Has good ideas for improving transparency.
Opposes spousal benefits for same-sex partners.
Open about explaining negative personal financial issues.
Has worked to improve transparency by meeting getting the city ot meet requirement of the the Texas contorller Transparency Star program.