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

No, I have never been arrested.

I have never had any tax liens or bankruptcies.

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

 I think, attracting new companies to our industrial park is a pressing issue. This would provide new job opportunities, increase our sales tax and property tax revenue.
This can be accomplished by giving incentives based on the number of jobs created and amount of property tax generated for a short period of time.

Increased tax revenue from new companies insurers a continued low property tax for the citizens of Conroe.

A second major issue, is providing and maintaining infrastructure to keep up with the growth of the city of Conroe. This can only be done with future planning and a strong comprehensive development plan.

 I think there are two other issues that must be covered. We need to help our business owners recover from the loss of business from the China virus.The city must start a strong campaign to shop and invest locally.

Our local residents have also expressed the desire for a strong conservative tree ordinance.

This should be accomplished by a stronger ordinance and more importantly one that shall be enforced.

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

I want to see Conroe continue to flourish. I want to build on the city's successes, addressing its challenges and plan for the future.

This requires responsible knowledge, leadership and experience.

It is vital that there is a balance between the interests of our residents with the growth of our city.

My eight years on city council gives me the advantages to get things done immediately.

I have been a part of creating the city budget for eight years. 

I voted to lower taxes while on city council.

Plus, I am the only one in my race to publicly state I will not vote to raise taxes.

I am also the only one in my race that has any government experience.

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

I am not against MUD's. However, the debt must be paid back in a timely manner. 

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

I think future planning is the key.
Creating a budget and staying within those parameters is essential.

I also think internal audits help identify those areas where cost saving opportunities can be applied.

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

Pay can always be better. While on city council I voted for two new fire stations and one state of the art police station. I believe they should have the best equipment the city can afford.
Pay should be in the top three of comparable cities.

In 2012, I voted to put firefighters and police pay in the top three of comparable cities.

This was done without raising taxes or going into the rainy day fund.

The current city council voted 4 to 1 to raise taxes and take money out of the rainy day to fund raises. I consider this reckless behavior.

I would move forward with four man staffing for the firefighters.

Without safety nothing else matters.

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?

It should be decreased and money transferred into 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, I support the current term limits the city of Conroe has in place. Presently a candidate can serve eight years. Then must sit out four years. This prevents lifelong candidates. It also enables Conroe to take advantage of experienced candidates.

I don't believe anyone should limit the rights of the voter or limit the names on a ballot.

Ultimately, the voter decisively determines term limits.

To my knowledge, the city of Conroe, is the only council/commission to have any kind of term limits in Montgomery county.

I don't identify with any board member.

This current council voted to raise property taxes by a 4 to 1 vote. Duke Coon was the lone vote against.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

An economic development plan can have minimal impact on the budget with proper planning. It's purpose is to promise future tax property revenue to developers in exchange for increased future property values due to development.
It gives the city time to plan for repayment of debt depending on future tax revenue on developing property. A disadvantage would be property values do not increase. 

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

I belive we have to have city ordinances.

However, I do believe that balance must be weighted toward private property rights.

The property owners are responsible for the revenue the city generates.

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?

I believe the SJRA board positions should be elected. They need to be accountable to the citizens.
The Lonestar Groundwater board, now has elected positions, which is a great step toward accountability.

We are blessed to have surface water as a secondary source. However, rates can not be forced on taxpayers. The board must have some degree of transparency for money spent.

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

The current board has made great strides in accountability.
We are blessed to have access to surface water and wells located in the Catahoula aquifer. It is very important for Conroe to plan for more wells in the Catahoula aquifer and thus exempt Conroe from the mandate to reduce groundwater usage. 

We also need to do extensive studies pertaining to subsidence in the Conroe area.

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

Again, pay can always be better. The city conducts frequent pay studies with comparable cities to determine if we are within the proper range. Employees depending on the budget may qualify for cola and merit pay increases.
Employees may qualify for a possible 3.5 percent merit pay raise depending on their evaluations.
Those evaluations may reflect a zero value all the way up to 3.5 percent pay increase per year.

Police and firefighters also have possible step, merit, and cola increases each year depending upon budget constraints.

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. However, hourly employees should be paid overtime if justified.

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 would always try to reduce the budget.

I am a fiscal conservative.

The reality is, this is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. We have old infrastructure that needs repair as well as new infrastructure needs for growth.

Interest rates are so low, refinancing old debt must always be a consideration . This would certainly reduce the budget.

Staff must always be encouraged to use cost saving approaches.

Internal audits should be done to identify areas for cost savings measures. 

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 budget has not been adopted. 
The Montgomery county appraisal district has not given the final figure for property taxes.

If there is a surplus I would certainly increase the days in the rainy day fund and also pay down debt by refinancing with low interest rates.

The tax rate for Conroe is 43.75 cents which is one of the lowest in this area.

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?

The sales tax is 8.25 percent and the property tax is 43.75 cents per $100.00 assessed value.

Rounding off per cents, the general fund is about 60% sales tax and 40% property tax.

No, I would not increase either.

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?

I do not have any family members living in the state of Texas.

None of my family is employed by Conroe, ORN,or Montgomery County.

I have not done any business/contracts with the city or county. 

I have been on city council for 8 years (2008-2016).

I am currently employed as part time arts liaison with the city of Conroe.

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 would recuse myself completely from all proceedings and decisions.

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

I am a member of the Conroe noon lions club and retired teachers.

I have made contributions to 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?

I have been on Conroe City Council for eight years ( 2008-2016).

 Currently, I am serving as part time arts liaison with the city of Conroe.

None of my family,  is employed or under contract by the City of Conroe or Montgomery County.

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

It is helpful to create Improvement Districts and Economic Development Districts. If planned correctly, these districts can have minimal impact on the city budget.
Improvement districts impose additional sales tax in a certain designated area to give improvements that the city may not be able to provide. It does take some of the decisions away from city. 
Economic development districts develops property and is reimbursed by increased future property tax revenue. 
Both plans have pros and cons and each project must be judged on their individual merits and what is in the best interests of the citizens.

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

It is helpful in attracting new businesses. But, again, I am not in favor of long abatements or agreements. The state says no more than 10 years for a tax abatement The average for Conroe in giving tax abatements is seven years. 

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).

Many years

I am a registered Republican.

I have voted in all of the elections the past three years by mail in ballot.