What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

The three main reasons I'm running:

1. I have long been asked by friends as well as professional and personal acquaintances why I don't run for office. I now have an opportunity to run for a voluntary, non-paid elected position and serve the community by providing the level of truth, transparency and trust that have defined me and my career in providing the highest level of ethics, integrity and accessibility.

2. Provide an open book on the township government, especially by fully vetting the incorporation studies/analysis; identifying and communicating all costs and benefits to residents of The Woodlands prior to it being put on the ballot for a vote.

3. Ensure that the special-purpose district of The Woodlands accomplishes what it is charged with doing -- providing the best amenities, services and public safety to the residents of The Woodlands, while keeping their property taxes as low as possible.

Regarding conflicts of interest: I do not see any potential conflicts of interest. However, if any arise, like other board members in the past, I will disclose the conflict and recuse myself from discussion and the vote.

Do you think The Woodlands should become a city or remain unincorporated? Why or why not (what are some of the pro's and cons)?  And if so, when should incorporation occur and why in that time frame? 

The Woodlands should remain unincorporated because it does not align with the values of limited government and fiscal responsibility. Incorporation would unnecessarily increase costs for the same residential services while driving up our community taxes. There are no real benefits of incorporation at this time. Also, there is no threat of annexation by Houston or Conroe. The Regional Participation Agreement protects the community through 2057, while recent legislation gives residents the power to decide on annexation, and therefore our own future, through a vote of the people.

With new legislation (HB347) prohibiting annexation of smaller communities by larger/adjacent cities unless approved by voters, is The Woodlands still obligated to pay-off Houston ($1 million) and Conroe ($500,000) for that purpose?

Senate Bill 6 in 2017 and House Bill 347 in 2019 provided The Woodlands with proetection from annexation for the forseeable future and put the power in the peolple's hands regarding any vote to approve or reject any future annexation efforts. That said, the Regional Participation Agreement provides The Woodlands protection from annexation through 2057 -- no matter which way the political or legislative winds blow in Austin. It is essentially another layer of protection from annexation that is much less expensive than incorporation ever would be for taxpayers. The legal question regarding the payoff would be determined through the court system or an agreement among the entities and their legal counsel. However, the RPA does require that the annual amount be paid throughout the 99-year agreement, whether or not The Woodlands incorporates.

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

1. Experience/Knowledge: I have spent two decades living in The Woodlands and covering government, politics and infrastructure throughout the area. That has given me a vast understanding of the governmental entitites that provide services to Woodlands residents, how they are intertwined and how they provide the best of both worlds for residents and taxpayers in terms of services/amenities and financial impact. I have built professional relationships with key leaders and elected officials at all levels of government and in the private section that would benefit The Woodlands.

2. Integrity: I built my career in Montgomery County on honesty and ethics while being an integral part of residents' lives by providing them imprortant and relevant information about current events and issues. I have practiced and preached transparency and would continue these principles while serving on The Woodlands Township Board. I have earned the respect of leaders and community members at all levels, as evidenced by the trust in me to moderate numerous political forums and debates throughout the county.

3. Accessibility: Community members have long approached me regarding a broad range of issues concrning The Woodlands and surrounding communities. My cell phone is public, always has been available to professional and personal contacts, as well as the public and media. I will continue that practice of being approachable and available to all residents of The Woodlands.

What, in your view, are the positive and negative aspects of the Township's current governance structure?

The positives of the current governance structure in The Woodlands are numerous.

Residents have the best of both worlds -- receiving top-level services and amenities from a handful of partnering entities and agencies while paying relatively low property taxes to the township in the recent past.

The covenants provide more than adequate protections for homeowners while not burdening residents with ordinances that could encroach on our freedoms and quality of life.

The township benefits from the ability to collect sales tax revenue, which offests the property tax burden.

The township funds a top-notch fire department.

The township receives top-level law enforcement services from other entities and is able to contract for even more officers, meaning residents are saving millions of dollars for public safety services that would otherwise be much more costly if run as a city police department.

This special-purpose district provides residents with all of the services and amenities they need -- without the high cost of city taxes.

I have no problem with the governance structure, just with the push to change it through incorporation efforts and some of the decision-making on the board at this time.

These are some of the reasons The Woodlands is consistently ranked as one of the top communities to live across the nation.

Are you in favor of allowing the residents to vote on the incorporation question once the incorporation planning process is complete? Why or why not?

Yes, residents should have the final say on the incorporation issue -- but they need all of the facts, and the studies still fall woefully short of that.

I would not term it an "incorporation planning process." The township board should not be planning for incorporation or stockpiling millions of dollars for a transition period to incorporation -- because residents have not voted. This should be a "study" on the impact of incorporation.

Before the issue is ever put on a ballot, residents deserve all of the information regarding costs and taxes. Too much information has been omitted or overlooked in the already released stuties. They need to be much further reviewed and revised.  

Did you attend any of the Special Planning meetings on incorporation? If so, how many?

No. I read about it and watched some video.

Should the economic development reserve fund serve as a general fund, to go to multiple projects such as ice-rinks, museums, buildings, street repairs etc. or should it be a project specific only account?

No, it should not serve as another general fund. Large Economic Development projects should be specifically identified in the reserve fund balance, and the board must ensure that revenues from event admissions, sales & use tax, hotel tax and event admissions are going toward these economic development and convention & visitors bureau reserve funds.

Street repairs should be covered under the property taxes paid to the county, which is respsonbile for road maintenance and repairs. If there are special pavers, etc. that the township wants on certain roads, then it should work with the county on an agreement for those additional amenities. 

What are your thoughts regarding the 2020 Preliminary budget?  Do you fully support it in full and, if not, what do you object to?

I do not support the 2020 prelimary budget because it calls for a property tax rate hike and therefore an increased tax burden on residents for no more services. They also are budgeting for an increase in sales tax revenue, when there was a decline this year. The township should be more conservative in those estimates to ensure it is not in the red again next year. In addition, the township is calling for creating additional positions and an employee pay raise that exceeds the COLA, in spite of falling short of budget revenues this past year. It is not a fiscally responsible or conservative budget based on the previous year's numbers, and it certainly is not taxpayer friendly. The township board continues to commit money to an incorporation reserve and study expenditures when there are more pressing needs, such as funding another company for The Woodlands Fire Deparment and infrastructure improvements at some of the stations.

Should the township be funding non-profit organization events such as Interfaith luncheons, senior pick-up services, Education for tomorrow luncheons, etc...with tax dollars.

Lucnheons and sponsorships for nonprofit agencies are not a good use of taxpayer funds. Public transportation is a service initiative of the township, and senior transportation services are resonable and would seem to fall under public transportation.

The township budget funds all reserves 100% yearly. What is the current surplus and should any of it be returned to the residents or retained in a rainy day fund and if so, how much and why? Any other options for the surplus?

The current reserves are $92.2 million, of which $60.6 million are non-discretionary for operating reserve (required to be at least 20 percent of the general fund operating expenses), debt service reserve, capital replacement reserve, which accounts for 85 percent of the $60.6 million.

The other reserves account for the remaining $31.6 million, and there certainly are funds that should be returned to residents in the form of paying for necessary major projects, equipment and paying down the long-term debt in order to lower the annual debt service payments, which in turn would allow for a lower property tax rate and give residents some relief.

The biggest reserve that needs to be dissovled is the $15.5 million Incorporation Reserve, then the $1.9 million bond redemption reserve.

It's been reported that The Woodlands comprises only 20% of households in the county, yet provides almost double that (38.5%) of the county total in property taxes. What would/could you do to correct this gross imbalance of tax inequity?

First, township leaders should research the level of services received from the county in The Woodlands and determine whether it is receiving its fair share based on the percent of property tax revenue generated by the community. In addition, the township should review the economic development initiatives the county has partnered with The Woodlands on that have provided tax abatements to companies and other incentives that have brought in high-paying jobs, home sales purchases and major sales tax revenue that have benefited The Woodlands and offset the local property tax burden.

Then, township leaders must hold their county elected officials accountable for providing a fair amount of services to the community. The township is fortunate to have repsrentation from four out of the five members of Commissioners Court and certainly can leverage voter and taxpayer power and influence, as well as good working relationships to ensure equitable distribution of funds and services.

If The Woodlands residents vote to incorporate, will their tax obligations to the county be reduced, remain the same or increase. How much in any case?

Residents' tax obligations will remain the same while their township property tax obligations will increase substantially. The local property tax increase will depend on what the township can work out with the county and the MUDs in terms of services being provided. Partnering with the county would require additional service contracts and therefore township taxpayer dollars going toward services the residents already pay county tax dollars to receive (double taxation).

With The Woodlands reaching full residential build-out, what do you think the Township should do to generate additional non-property tax revenues to maintain services without a property tax increase?

The township must continue to partner with the county, the EDP and Chamber to promote corporate relocation, quality retail, restaurant and entertainment choices that generate sales and hotel occupancy tax revenue, as well as event admissions revenue. The township also muct continue to support and improve its Convention & Visitors Bureau presence to ensure tourism dollars continue to grow.

What is your position on the Homestead, Over 65 and Disabled Exemptions available to the residents of the Township?

I would work toward ensuring homestead exemptions for all property owners and follow the lead of other taxing entitites in The Woodlands, such as Montgomery County, the MUDs and the Montgomery County Hospital District, which have prvoided homestead exemptions yet don't have the benefit of collecting sales tax revenue to offset those costs.

What is the effective tax rate for The Woodlands Township? What's the significance of this if home values (appraisals) go up and the tax rate stays the same as the previous year?

The effective tax rate for the upcoming budget year is 22.4 cents per $100 property valuation. However, the recommendation is actually a tax increase of .27 cents (from 22.73 cents to 23 cents per $100 valuation). The tax increase compounded with appraisal increases for residents mean their tax obligation to The Woodlands Township is going up. This, while the state Legislature recently passed SB2 to help protect property owners from tax increases and when Montgomery County Commissioners Court approved the effective tax rate and the Conroe ISD approved a tax rate below the effective tax rate that will save residents up to a few hundred dollars apiece depending on the value. 

The township still could reverse course and provide a tax rate decrease Sept. 12 when it is scheduled to be approved by the board.

Have you ever been convicted as result of arrest? Ever had any tax liens? If so, give start & resolution dates?

No

Which current Township board member do you identify with the most and why?

I don't. I'm an independent thinker and will represent the residents of The Woodlands as best I can.

I have similar views to township board members on a number of issues, but I don't affiliate myself with any of them.

I did not seek any board member, PAC or VAC's approval or blessing to run for Position 7 on the board. I did it to be the voice for the residents of The Woodlands.

Have you and/or any of your family members ever ben employed by or worked under contract to either The Woodlands Township, Woodlands Development Company or Montgomery County?

Yes, I work for Montgomery County as the manager of projects for Precinct 3.

No family member is employed by the township or development company.

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

I have not contributed to any politician, political or union organization in the past five years.

Are you now or have you ever done business with the township and/or township/county official?

I work for Montgomery County.

Should political subdivisions post their detailed check registers and credit card statements online for public viewing?

Government expenditures should be public -- not matter the cost or the means of payment.

Commissioner Riley is actively planning the extension of the Mansion's Way parkway. What should the Township do to prevent a flood of cut though traffic on Woodlands Parkway?

The township should use its political influence and governmental partnerships to get any potential threat of an identiified unwanted extension removed from the major thoroughfare plan and elect public officials who will work with the township and its residents on mobility initiatives.

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

1. Preventing unwanted extensions of roads that create cut-throughs in our community. Partner with other county leaders to remove them from the major thoroughfare plan, while working with county, state and federal leaders to complete projects along the outskirts of The Woodlands that provide alternative and adequate mobility routes outside of The Woodlands. This also will help ingress and egress along the township lines for residents and professionals entering and exiting The Woodlands.

2.Public transportation. The township must continue to evolve in providing public transportation options that are cost-effective and user-friendly both within The Woodlands and for commuters into and out of The Woodlands.

3. Hike and bike paths. The township must ensure that the hike and bike paths have the proper upkeep, repairs and tree trimming to allow for maximum use of walkers and recreational bike riders who use these paths frequently. This is a function of the township, and it should be taken seriously, as a safe alternative for those who would rather stay off the roads for short trips and recreation. The township also should look at adding/expanding the hike/bike paths where possible, without negatively affecting the vegetation.

What political party do you affiliate with? Do you believe in that party platform(all of it or % part - if %, please describe what you disagree with?

Republican.

Yes, I believe in the party platform.

Do you agree/disagree with MCTP Core Values?  Please explain if you disagree

Yes, I am a Christian who adheres to the U.S. Constitution, and believes in personal and economic freedom, limited government, fiscal responsibility and the highest level of ethics and transparency.