Why are you running for this position?  What are the three main attributes that make you the most qualified for this position?

I previously served as council member for 9 years and I know how the older generation of residents feel. left out, dismissed, and not appreciated. Communication is the primary thing here as the older generation does not use social media like the younger generation. Now all resident must be heard and addressed, young and old, rich and poor, and those with ideaology on both sides of the isle. It is a fine line and I know I can't please everyone, but I know I will represent all to the best of my ability and listen to the concerns of all of the residents and then vote on the side of what is best for the entire City and the City's future.  I want to also ensure our City is running as the best and safest little city in Texas!

My three main attributes are;
1) Experience! I've served this City in some capacity for 31 years.
2) I have a good common sense value system.
3) I want what is best for the City of Shenandoah, for the residents and the business community.

What are the 3 most pressing issues in Shenandoah and what is your preferred solution to each?

a) One of my issues is what I would call the City’s misuse of the "Planned Development District". By definition a PDD is as follows: A Planned Development District is a zoning district which may be created anywhere in the city. The PDD is created for the purpose of permitting property to be developed with one or more uses not otherwise permitted or conditional in the zoning district in which the property is located. The PDD is also subject to certain development regulations; one or more development site plans; or subject to development regulations not otherwise permitted in the zoning district in which the property is located.
These are a great tool for the city but I feel they have become the norm and not the exception to our city zoning and other ordinances in place. I have voted to recommend approval by City Council and now we now have 13 different PDD districts all with their own set of parameters. I would now vote to curtail the creation of these districts as the normal procedure for business development.

b) It seems the city has a high turnover rate of associates. (last year alone 25% +/-) Currently I do not realy have a solid understanding the root cause for this turnover, but I do know it is not healthy for the city.  I would do all I can to lessen this turnover, find the root cause, correct it and thus lessen the ill effect to the city. I do know it can not be completly eliminated. I would like to see department heads be more responsable for this in their respective departments and reporting to city council.

c) I have talked to residents and contractors that are unwilling to do business in Shenandoah due to over regulation. Example: Resident in a 30 year old house has a failed hot water tank. He priced one at Lowes for around $400.00, they purchased it and hired a plumber to install it. Plumber reports they will not do work in Shenandoah due to strict regulations. Resident finds another plumber that will install the water tank for $400.00, pulls a permit to install the tank and does. City inspector comes out and finds many things out of code that must be replaced with this installation. Such as gas valves, overflow pans new piping through the walls etc. Bottom line the cost of the repair went from what the homeowner thought was $800.00 to $5,100.00 due to all the code violations repaired throughout the home. I think this is regulation overreach and defiantly not resident friendly. This caused much discomfort to the resident and thus their trust with the city diminished greatly. I will request we look at these regulations that were cited to the resident and make them more reasonable for the home owner and the city. This is not a single instance as others including myself have experienced this type of regulation / code overreach.

How can the operation of your city government be made more efficient and cost effective?

I think the City is responsible with their budget process and needed spending. I have no issue there. What I would curtail is spending money on things I feel we do not need and / or money that does not need to be spent. I think the budget process is where City Council's focus should be spent. Once a budget is passed and funds are budgeted to be spent, it is hard to curtail that kind of spending. Thus lessening wasteful spending of tax dollars.

What's your interpretation of the "Separation of Church and State"?

My interpretation of the separation of church and state is exactly the way Thomas Jefferson intended it to be interpreted, In a letter to the Danbury Baptists Jefferson wrote, “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State”. From a Constitutional standpoint I believe he was expressing an understanding and the intent of both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution. I also think this had the purpose of preventing the government from establishing a “State Sponsored Religion”.

What is your primary resource to help you make difficult decisions as it relates to public policy?

I believe God will guide me to make the correct decision. I will weigh policy and procedure as well as common sense and to determine whom the decision benefits the most in the matter. I will research what others whom have addressed this difficulty and weigh their input, both pro and con.

What is the current budget surplus and should any of it be returned to the residents, pay down debt or retained in a rainy day fund and if so, how much and why?

The City is in the middle of an operating year, and currently budget surplus is $172,000.00.
In the budgeting process the good of Shenandoah’s future, its businesses, and residents is the paramount focus. Once a tax is levied, any unspent funds should be held in reserve to a point the city has enough emergency funds to survive any catastrophe. Once that is achieved, they should stop frivolous spending and pay down their indebtedness above what they have budgeted as debt retirement. If the city continues to collect excess funds, they should lower the tax rate to those that pay the tax. I firmly believe the revenue the city government operates on belongs to the tax payers and the government is the steward of that money. The city government has lowered the tax rate per $100 assessed valuation every year since 2004 but city revenue has increased each year due to the appraisal value increases on the property and improvements within the city.

What is Shenandoah's bond rating?  What is the current debt load and is it too high? Please describe how you will determine the proper debt load.

Shenandoah’s current bond rating is AA+ which is excellent! The City’s current debt principal is $22,145,000.00. At the last audit, the City’s Assets are over 45,000.000.00 so mathematically I believe the debt load is not too high. That being said, I feel any debt is too high if the funds are spent frivolously.

How much does this position pay each year? Do you think this amount should be increased, decreased or even, like The Woodlands Township, receive no compensation at all?

My satisfaction of being a council member when I was active was just the satisfaction of supporting the community. I received no financial compensation during that time. Now, the position pays $10,500 a year and I understand that is what the city feels is fair compensation for the work of the council. The city has changed immensely since I served on council and the workload of the position has grown proportionally. Therefore I would openly support what the whole council feels is fair on this matter. I would not motion for an increase, nor elimination either. Either way, nothing would change until the next election cycle.

What is the Sales Tax Rate for the City in which you're running?  Property Tax rate?  How much of the revenue is derived from each? Do you think it would be a good idea to broaden either or both of them to increase revenues?

The City’s Sales Tax rate is 1.5% and the Municipal Development rate is .05%. On the August 24th 2016 Council meeting, the council set the effective tax rate for Maintenance and Operation fund at $0.2297 per $100 of assessed property valuation. The adopted Ad Valorem tax rate is $0.2295 per $100 of assessed property valuation. They also set the effective tax rate for the Interest and Sinking fund at $0.1264 per $100 of assessed property valuation. The fund balance is #31,579.88.
The 2016 / 2017 budget shows Taxable value of $840,292,464 @ $0.2295/$100 which will yield revenue at $875,637.00. Total revenue from property taxes is $1,928,471.00.
Sales Tax revenue based on historical data is projected to be $5,231,000.00 this fiscal year. I do not think it will be wise to broaden either of them to increase revenue. The larger of the two is sales tax and it is a consumption tax. Thus as businesses develop in Shenandoah this will increase on its own. Once development slows and taxes show to be flat or declining, we should first adjust our spending as opposed to raising a tax rate on consumers and our residents.

Do you support or oppose creation of Improvement Districts and Economic Development Districts? Why or why not?

Yes I do as a district, but not as a taxing entity. Early in 2010, the City of Shenandoah created a committee to develop their “Integrated Development Code” or IDC. We labored long and hard. We met twice a month for well over a year and the meetings were lengthy. This committee was all about the economic and business development of The City of Shenandoah. We looked and requested amendments and modifications to several ordinances, i.e. The Zoning Ordinance, The Subdivision Ordinance, The Sign Ordinance, and others. We created a Retail Commercial Zoning District to try to have retail businesses within the Office development districts. We looked at residential development alongside commercial development and alike. Therefore any “Improvement District” or Economic Improvement District” can be created in Shenandoah but only with the assets of Shenandoah in mind as well as the developer, and the business environment that is created. On April 13th 2011 the City adopted and approved the City Of Shenandoah Integrated Development Code that I was proud to be a part of. As with anything, the IDC has evolved and as development increases, the IDC has evolved with the city’s growth. As you drive through Shenandoah today, you will see the effect of good planning.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

As with any partnership formed by two entities, you both share the Profits and the Losses. I do know that if these two entities share characteristics relating to both, any differences can be resolved between the two partners, but not the third partner in this kind of arrangement, the outside world. I have rarely seen any development that does not change due to outside financing influences, or the end party that will utilize the development. So I would be very skeptical entering into a partnership arrangement involving Economic Development.

Are you now or have you ever done business with The City of Shenandoah and/or a Shenandoah/county official and if so, the nature of that relationship?

I have not done business with any of the aforementioned entities.

List Civic, Political or union organization or individuals to whom you have contributed time or money (past five years).

I have not donated to any organization or individual in the past five years.

List all clients you have represented or lobbied for on behalf of any governmental entity during the past five years.

None!

Please list your top 5 donors and what their relationship to you is?

I have no donors.

Please describe what measures you propose to improve transparency and accountability to the public.

Currently I believe the City is very transparent with respect to the public and I have not identified any discrepancies to that claim.

Have you and/or any of your family members been employed by or working under contract to either The City of Shenandoah or Montgomery County?

No, I did apply for employment but was not selected.

How long have you been consistently voting in elections? For which parties candidates? List all the elections you have voted in for the past 3 years (2014-2016).

I have voted in every National, State, County, and local election for as long as I have been able to vote. I value that right very much. I will vote for what I feel is the best candidate running for the position, regardless of party affiliation. I am a registered Republican and generally will vote for that party.

Would you vote in favor of spousal benefits for same-sex partners of State, County and City employees? Please explain your reasons.

I believe the sanctity of marriage is between a man and a woman, so, on the face of this question the answer would be "No".