1. Which local current or former elected officials (Hays County or any city, school district or other political subdivision therein) do you think most closely reflect your sensibilities and/or style in governing? Why?
I believe that both Commissioner Mark Jones and former Commissioner Jeff Barton most closely reflect my approach to governing. But I must admit it is that I take my inspiration from them as it will probably be some years before I obtain their leadership ability. But I share with them their pro-growth, pro-business, and, most importantly, pro-community sensibility. I also admire their ability to make the hard decisions, honestly and ethically. I have strived to do so myself. They listen to the people they represent and firmly believe that they are “the voice of the people.” And I really admire that quality. I also admire both of these mens’ ability to work with others on projects, understanding that government is a collaborative process. Both Commissioner Jones and Barton have been excellent at getting things done for Kyle, while being relaxed and cheerful with their constituents. I’m still trying to pull it off as well as they do, but I’m grateful I have them as inspiration.
2. Describe what your candidacy is all about in 140 characters or less.
I am dedicated to fixing our city’s infrastructure, improving city services, and keeping us prosperous. Kyle has a bright future!
3. Size and scope of government have been leading issues in recent elections on the local, state and national level. Do you think the city of Kyle spends too much in its general fund budget? If so, what specifically would you cut and how much money would this save?
There has been much debate over the last year over the role of city government and whether Kyle is overstepping its bounds in providing certain city services that others have deemed “unnecessary,” such as parks and recreational programs, Economic Development, the public library, our grant program to non-profits, and even the funding of improvements to state and county roads within the city, (FM 1626, FM 150, and I-35). I use the Kyle City Charter as my principle guide, a document created and voted on by the people when we became a home-rule city. Our city charter gives the city the authority and the responsibility to “provide for the advancement of the interest, welfare, health, morals, comfort, safety, economic well being, or convenience of the city and its inhabitants.” Furthermore, the charter gives the city the ability to “develop and improve, or cause to be developed and improved, any and all public streets, sidewalks, alleys, highways, and other public ways within the city.”
I believe it is our duty, as members of the city council, to ensure the best future for the city and to provide the city services desired by the majority of our citizens. Our budget’s general fund expenses reflect both the city services specifically required in our charter and the services that the council have deemed necessary for “the general welfare, health, morals, comfort, safety, economic well being, or convenience of Kyle residents” AND NOTHING ELSE. Our budget is much smaller than most cities our size, reflecting the council’s continued goal of keeping our city government efficient and small. One of our city council’s goals has been to keep Kyle an affordable place to live. Kyle’s property tax rate is only 17% of a property owner’s total tax bill. I want to ensure it stays that way.
4. What is the ideal tax rate for the city of Kyle and how would you get there?
The ideal tax rate for any city is $0.00. The real question is: are we getting maximum value for the taxes we do pay? I believe we are. Given the large number of people we provide city services to in Kyle, our relatively modest tax base, and our extremely rapid growth rate, I’m proud of our 41.54 cent tax rate. San Marcos has a property tax rate of 53 cents even with an extremely high sales tax base due to the outlet mall. Lockhart has a tax rate of 73 cents. With the revenue generated from our property taxes, we fund a host of vital city services: police protection, street maintenance, municipal court, park maintenance, and recreational programs. We provide these services efficiently and with a smaller city government than many cities our size. I will work hard to ensure we lower our property tax rate whenever it becomes possible to provide these services with less revenue as our tax base grows.
5. Generally speaking, what is your plan for improving Kyle area streets and roads and which three projects do you think are most pressing?
We need a long-term 20-year capital improvement plan to address our transportation needs. The Comprehensive Plan, adopted by Council last summer, offered citizens numerous workshops in which they identified three major roads needing expansion: Burleson, Goforth, and Lehman. But the City does not currently have adequate funding to take on these projects without a vote from its citizens to issue more debt. We will be seeking additional public input before a final decision is made. Whenever possible, it is of vital importance to work with our county and state governments in developing costly transportation programs.
In the interim, there are several minor road improvement projects we can accomplish, without issuing debt, by dedicating funds each year to this purpose. We are currently working on a prioritized list of road projects for this purpose which will be reviewed by Council next month. Many of our city streets have not been properly maintained since they were originally paved. Proper maintenance could have prevented this deterioration. Our new city manager is working with our Public Works Department on developing a street maintenance program.
6. Do you think Kyle has enough police officers on the streets to maintain reasonable levels of public safety?
For a city of our size, Kyle has a very low crime rate and is a relatively safe and peaceful community. That does not mean, however, that our current police staffing is adequate. We are far below the national average of officer-to-resident ratio and lack sufficient officers on duty to always guarantee a reasonable response time. The council strives to budget annually for new officers. We currently have 8 open positions our city is working to fill. I believe once these officers are hired, our residents can expect a higher level of service and more reliable response times.
7. What is the most recent book you have read?
The last book I read was “That Hideous Strength” by C.S. Lewis. It is the last book in a trilogy, but I find the Christian inspiration and moral lessons that C.S. Lewis weaves into the plot more significant and palpable than in the others.
I’m currently reading “In Praise of Folly” by Erasmus. 2011 marks the 500th anniversary of its original printing and, in any case, it seemed like a good book to read during an election.
8. Mac or PC?
I believe Macs and PCs will one day live in harmony, merging together into one beautiful expression of technological creativity and synergy. Until that day, I am a Mac.
