What made you decide to run for county commission?
As a Williamson County resident for more than 16 years, I have seen the changes that have taken place. The county has gone further and further into debt. Reckless expansion and growth are causing strains on infrastructure, traffic is growing worse by the day, and endless escrow shortages due to rising property taxes spurred me to action. Most of all, I feel God put it on my heart to bring my views into the public sphere and to use them to guide my decisions.
What is your political background?
While I have been active in local meetings such as school board meetings and Williamson County Republican Party meetings and leadership elections, this is my first time entering the election arena as a candidate.
Who are your campaign donors?
All of my campaign donations have come from private citizens. I do not have, nor do I want, donations from PACs, developers, or unions. If I become an elected official, I will be accountable to the citizens alone, not to large organizations that have their own interests in mind.
What is your opinion regarding the sale of the Williamson County Medical Center?
I do not feel this is the time to sell the medical center. As it stands today, if it were sold, the proceeds would go into a trust controlled by unelected officials who are not accountable to the county’s taxpayers. Without changes to legislation, the sale of the medical center is not something I support.
What is your stance on growth in the county?
While growth is important, it needs to be done responsibly and in the best interest of the county. To this point, I do not believe that has been the county’s growth strategy. I do not want to sit and see what makes Williamson County special disappear because every blade of grass in the community is getting a house built on it. I believe we can grow and add value to the county by utilizing what already exists—improving existing structures or reclaiming and renovating buildings and homesites that have been abandoned or fallen into disrepair.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I want to be a strong voice for the residents of District Two. I want to see fiscal responsibility brought back to the county and the commission. I want to see reckless growth put in check to give schools and infrastructure a chance to catch up to the growth that has already occurred.
With the tremendous growth we have seen, the fire service is facing many new challenges throughout the county. Could you share your thoughts on how the commission can help our departments better serve our residents?
I am always 100% supportive of our first responders. If additional or improved equipment and training would help, I would support those efforts—ideally not at the taxpayers’ expense, but by identifying funds that are currently being wasted or allocated to ineffective programs in the county and redirecting them to priorities like this.
In the same vein, if there are ways to incentivize individuals to become full-time firefighters or volunteers—through additional benefits, spot bonuses, or similar initiatives—that is something I would support and be happy to explore.
I received your flyer in the mail today and it prompted me to ask a question. Your flyer states you want to limit property taxes. Can you be more specific?
I would like to see a process where property taxes burdens could be lowered or even eliminated through these steps:
1. No more raising of property taxes, if the county needs additional funds they should be found by identifying wasteful or ineffective programs.
2. Eliminating property taxes for the retired and potentially for folks that pay their mortgages off.
3. Any funds that are lost in property taxes potentially being made up in ‘consumption taxes’. Potentially small uptakes on certain goods and services (although I would not want to see that) which allows citizens to decide if they want to contribute to the tax by purchasing the goods and services or not.
How long have you lived in District 2? what are the most concerning issues facing District 2?
I have been in district to for 17 years this August. Most concerning issues to be are how fast the rural areas are being developed and the growing debt the county has incurred leading to increased property taxes.