Have you ever been arrested? Ever had any tax liens? If so, start & resolution dates?

• I have operated many businesses and never had a tax lien.
• I was arrested in early to mid 1970.  The case was closed  

Have you ever been arrested? Ever had any tax liens? If so, start & resolution dates?

Repeat question.  Answer same as above.

Have you ever been arrested? Ever had any tax liens? If so, start & resolution dates?

Repeat question.  Answer same as above. 

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

• High taxes and appraised values
• Solution: I have personally sued (with personal funds) the Chief Appraiser of MOCO and am currently working with our State Representative Will Metcalf and State Senator Brandon Creighton to make the Chief Appraisers position an elected position in the next legislative session    
• Water rates and water rights
• Solution: We must reduce the cost of water in MOCO including making all SJRA board position elected. The City is currently in litigation with the SJRA    
• Full development of our Industrial Park and Technology Park
• Solution: This can be accomplished through attracting new business because of our low tax rate and through proper and timely development of infrastructure and the continued use of CIDC funds  

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

Conroe is my home and I believe conservative faith based leadership is needed.  We have a responsability to the tax payer to always lower their tax burden

• Leadership - I lowered taxes my first year as Mayor and have led the city through many natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda and the current COVID - 19 pandemic 
• Experience - Have brought more finnancial accountability and transparency to city government as Mayor
• Through my experience and leadership Conroe was named the fasest growing city in America in 2017 & 2019  

How do you feel about inner-city MUDs and why?

While some are necessary for growth this can bring a large financial burden on our citizens. The debt must be paid back in a timley fashion.  

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

• Under my leadership we have streamlined all departmnets for efficiency. 
• Creating a budget each year that is balenced without tax increases
• I have hired an internal city auditor that monitors all departments
• Eliminating change orders and cost overruns  

Do you feel that City of Conroe police and fire is adequately funded?  Explain.

• Yes, we provided both departments with the best equipment necessary to complete their jobs. 
• I commissioned a salary study in 2019 to raise the pay of our employees and first responders

This council position pays $7,200/yr. Do you think this amount should be increased, decreased or even, like The Woodlands Township, receive no compensation at all?

The salary was established prior to my tenure as Mayor.  I believe it should be decreased with all money returned to the general fund  

Do you support term limits for the council?  If so, how many terms? Which current Magnolia board member do you identify with the most and why?

• Yes, the Conroe city council has term limits.  A candidate can serve two four year elected terms and must sit out for four full years.
• The citizens must decide through a voting process to elect or not elect a candidate.
• I identify with Mayor Pro-Tem Duke Coon who was the only not vote to raise taxes. He and I stood firm to not raise taxes  for the 2019-2020 budget.   

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

• Each economic develpoment partnership must be judged on its own merits.  
• The advantage of an Economic Development Partnership is that it allows the project to move forward and develop while the CIty of Conroe continues to expand its tax base allowing timely payback to the partnership in the future.  This allows the City to budget through a bonding process for pay back under favorable terms.  
• The disadvantages are if the tax base does not increase or the pay back terms are too long this could effect the opperating budget.
•    

How do you feel about private property rights, with respect to City ordinances?  Which one take precedence?

• Private property rights belong to the Citizens first and foremost.
• All City Ordinances must be created with that principle in mind.
• We must draft and create conservative Ordinances that meet the needs of our Citizens while protecting personal property rights.
• Personal property rights take precedence.     

What's your position on the SJRA and Lonestar Groundwater boards?  Explain.  Where do you stand on the GRP (Groundwater Reduction Plan) Contract and why?

• My position is the SJRA GRP contract is too burdensome on our citizens with unlimited increases in water rates over the next 70 years. 
• The City of Conroe is currently in a law suit with the SJRA to protect our water rights and lower forced fees imposed by the SJRA.
• The CIty of Conroe working with our elected Officials hopes to make each position on the SJRA Board elected positions and accountable to the citizens of Montgomery County.
• I am pleased to announce, the Lone Star Groundwater Board is now an elected Board that is accountable to the citizens of Montgomery County. 
• The City of Conroe is working with this Board to create responsible DFCs for the region.

Where do you stand on the GRP (Groundwater Reduction Plan) Contract and why?

• We feel the Plan is open ended with no limits to cost increases related to the production of water.
• While there is a need for surface water, responsible accountability to our citizens related to the production of water is paramount.

Do you feel that City of Conroe employees are adequetely funded? If not, please explain

• Yes our City employees are adequatrly funded in comparison to other municipalities in southeast Texas.
• The City employees get merit raises, step raises, and COLA increases  

Should salaried employees be paid overtime?  And if so, should their be a limit and how much?

No, salaried employees should not be paid overtime.

Will you vote to increase or reduce the annual city budget?  Why?  What major changes will you propose in your city’s budget?  Why?

• I will always look to decrease the annual City budget.  That is our responsibility to the Citizens.  
• Propose an annual tax rate reduction to the budget.  
• Will also seek to continue to refiance the old debt.  

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?

• That number is currently unkown, as the budget has not been adopted.  
• We are mandated by financial regulation to maintain at least a 90 day reserve.
•  

What is the Sales Tax Rate for the City of Conroe?  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?

• Sales Tax Rate is 8.25
• Property Tax rate is 0.4375
• About 65 % of our revenue comes from sales tax.  The remainder comes from Ad Velorum Tax

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

• None of my family members have been employed by the City or ORN or Montgomery County.
• I have been employed by the City of Conroe as an elected Official and as a member of a Commission.

In this role, you'll be representing both residents & organizations. In the event of a conflict with the Woodlands Development Company and/or the Economic Development Partnership, how would handling this situation?

• I will recuse myself completely.

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

• None, other than the Republican Party.

Have you and/or any of your family members been employed by or working under contract to any taxing entity in your jurisdiction?

No.

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

• Each plan has merits and the projects must be judged individually as to the best fit of a financial tool.

Do you agree with Conroe's Pro-Tax Sharing (Abatement) policy?  Why or why not and what changes would you make? 

No.  Not in favor of long abatements or agreements. 

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 am a conservative republican and have voted in every election over the past 50 years.   I have voted in all the elections in the past 3 years.