What do you want voters to know about you?
Bandera County voters want a qualified candidate who has the leadership skills, understands their concerns, and demonstrates a 24/7 commitment to improve their lives and protect their future. Voters deserve open communication with livestreaming meetings and a complaint process that includes follow-up to them. Leadership dominates my resume. From the 10 years in the nonprofit work here, to 10 years of business leadership, and 25 years of service in the U.S. Army, I meet or exceed all requirements to serve as Bandera County Judge. I have experience planning for emergencies, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, problem-solving, communications, and judicial decision-making. Voters need a Judge who is ethical and committed to fair treatment for all while leading the Commissioners Court and judicial proceedings.
I have had the honor to serve Bandera County as a volunteer and leader for several nonprofit organizations and projects. Through this work, I learned more about our county’s needs. Examples of my efforts included improving the lives of Veterans and their families, advocating for a full-time Veteran Service Officer, writing and winning grants worth over $200,000, County Blood Drive coordinator, and assisting community associations with their concerns for fire protection, preservation, and managing development. As the Chief County Budget Officer, I will make every effort to keep tax rates as low as possible, while also anticipating future requirements. Voters can be confident that a vote for me means fair dealings, open communication (good news or bad), and a leader with their best interests driving decisions.
What will your priorities be?
I’ve studied county government and attended 75% of our Commissioners Court meetings in the last 5 years. Priority #1 is planning and preparing for emergencies, be they flood, fire or health-related. I have years of experience planning for contingencies to lead this work. Safety and security of our citizens is a very close Priority #2, ensuring there are enough qualified law enforcement and first responders to address our population and are positioned for the fastest response possible. Your team of the Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Medical Director, Fire Marshall, and Sheriff is all part of the team to assist in this. I’ve been engaged in the Kerr County long-range efforts after the July 4th flood disaster: learning from our neighbors is key to improving our preparedness and resilience. Priority #3 is long-term budget planning: not just an annual exercise, but looks 3-5 years into the future to identify needs and potential revenue sources to pay for them. Although property tax is the county’s main source of revenue, our County’s land development order has to protect our water and preserve our natural land. Tourism is another source: improvements to Mansfield Park and our county roads may increase this tax revenue. Delivering impartial justice with timely processes and decisions is an ongoing priority. This is critical to supporting law enforcement and continuing to reduce the crime rate and improve safety. I’m prepared to lead these efforts.
What do you see as your office’s biggest challenge, and how do you plan to address it?
One word: Money. Inflation and uncertainty, interest rates, and limited income affect every family, as well as the Bandera County government. The services and needs of our community all come down to our budget’s ability to address them. The County Budget is the tool that funds our needs, and expanding the online and in-person community engagement is a must. External factors, from the state government, drive our budget challenges. As County Judge, I would provide the leadership to draft resolutions and legislation for our legislators before the next session, including unfunded mandates, water, education, and law enforcement shortfalls. Rural counties may improve our odds of success by uniting on our same needs to do everything possible to pressure our representatives and other government agencies to serve us better. Internally, the Commissioners Court must examine local options to address our budget needs by increasing revenue or lowering costs. Those options are limited, and some have long-lasting consequences.
Prioritizing expenditures in emergency preparedness, law enforcement, and roads based on key shortfalls, crime, and accident information must be a routine process. Investments in infrastructure, whether county roads, water availability, or Mansfield Park, must be supported by a guaranteed return. We must avoid bonds, i.e., debt, unless there is no other alternative. Aggressively competing for grant money is required, but not all grants are created equal. All grants must be carefully reviewed to understand the full “price to win”. Some have after-award strings attached that may not be worth the expense to compete.
Campaigns focus on change. What is something you believe is important to maintain?
Elections are an opportunity to select the most qualified leader for today and to prepare for tomorrow. Any proposed “change” after that must be carefully examined to ensure it is a necessity, an improvement, a cost reduction, among a host of other criteria. “Keeping it Rural” is critical to maintain for Bandera County. Many citizens say this is why they remain here or move here. Commuting extra miles to work is a price to pay to return to their home in a small community. They like the safer, more intimate living in smaller schools, where there are still plenty of activities. A “parade down Main Street”, real rodeos, and great parks are fun for both retirees and families. We need better roads, guaranteed water, and less drug-related crime. These trade-offs for most are worth it.
It is the job of the Bandera County leadership to improve on our shortfalls and protect our heritage, while retaining our advantage as a great rural place to live and grow. I’m committed to improving and retaining this special rural place we call home.
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