What are the 3 most pressing issues in Conroe and what is your preferred solution to each?
1. The City of Conore is overburdened with debt.
The City of Conroe is estimated to have $680 Million to $700 Million in bond debt on the financial statement, as well as over $300 Million in unfunded Capital Improvement Projects.
Solution: As your Mayor, we would attempt to renegotiate contractual obligations and audit each department for financial responsibility and effiicinecy while immediately attempting to pay off short term obligated debt from general reserve funds as allowed by law.
2. The City has a lack of policies and procedures in place.
In light of recent events related to unsworn oaths and the lack of transparancy and financial management, I would immediatley have the City audited by a third party for policies and procedures to ensure the City is following mandated laws. My primary focus would be on contractual policies and procedures.
3. High Water Rates: The City is currently burdened with untenable GRP water rates.
As you Mayor, I would ask for a County forum related to the GRP contract, working to renegotiate rates and the contract terms. Many stakeholders are not receiving one drop of water but are burdened with ground water pumping rates. This is unacceptable.
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 absolutely support term limits for Council.
Possibly limited to two terms at four years each.
I identify most with councilman Howard Wood, as he is a fellow Veteran and makes financial management a priority.
Do you feel that City of Conroe police and fire is adequately funded? Explain.
No, due to prior financial mismanagement. The City of Conroe is unable to properly fund and staff our police and fire departements. As your Mayor, public safety will be one of my top priorities ensuring our police and fire departments will have the man power and equipment needed to protect themselves and our citizens.
Should "comparables" be within a certain distance to protested properties and what is a reasonable distance?Why or why not?
No, I do not believe comparables should be limited to a specific distance. There are a lot of diverse factors that may need to be obtained from different areas, assuming the economic environment of the comparables are similar in nature.
How do you feel about private property rights, with respect to City ordinances? Which one take precedence?
The City of Conroe ordinances should never infringe on personal property rights. Personal property rights should always take precedence.
What 2 things about your opponent do the voters need to know?
1. My opponent, Todd Yancy, voted to fund the Conroe Hotel Project. A reading of the hotel contract and bond prospectus, as I clearly read, indicated that this project was unable to fund itself and pay the debt service and operational costs over the first 10-12 years. The City of Conroe should not be in the hotel business as this has placed a catastrophic burden on the City's budget and the hotel's bond rating. The hotel's bond rating has been downgraded by S&P to junk bond status.
2.Conroe deserves a Mayor who can lobby in Austin, lead us in times of natural disaster, has contractual knowledge, and has true business acumen and relevant experience. As a former Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Conroe and Veteran, I have walked through each of these situations amoung others. My opponent, Todd Yancy, is a newly appointed elected official and has not experienced any of these situations that will potentially arise in the near future.
Where do you stand on the GRP (Groundwater Reduction Plan) Contract and why?
The GRP contract must immediately be renegotiated or disolved to become more equitable to all stakeholders. The contract has placed significant financial hardship on the large majority of the citizens of Montgomery County.
What's your position on the SJRA and Lonestar Groundwater boards? Explain.
The SJRA board of directors must be immediatly moved to a fully elected board that provides representation for our citizens. It is my opinion, the SJRA board of directors currently operates without stakeholder accountability.
The Lonestar Groundwater board is currently appointed by the citizens. The citizens of Montgomery County must and should hold board members accountable when trying to raise groundwater pumpage rates and/or permit fees.
How can the operation of your city government be made more efficient and cost effective?
As your Mayor, the process starts with transparancy and full city wide audits to ensure cost cutting measures and reduced budget amendments. The City of Conroe should never have to raise taxes. We should do a better job managing current sales tax and ad valorem resources.
