1. County budget and taxes
Question: Gadsden County has faced difficult budget decisions, including proposed spending reductions and rising personnel costs. What specific changes would you make to county spending, and how would you balance maintaining essential services with keeping taxes affordable for residents?
Answer: Gadsden County not only has to make hard choices regarding, but the looming threat of revenue losses from Amendment 3 creates additional concern. Essential services such as EMS, public safety, and road maintenance must remain priorities. However, hard choices have to be made and the unfortunate reality is that staff reductions and reduction in funding to certain outside organizations and programs will be required to cover the shortfall.
2. Public safety
Question: Recent disagreements between the County Commission and Sheriff’s Office over funding have raised concerns about public safety and financial oversight. How would you ensure law enforcement and emergency services receive adequate funding while holding those agencies accountable for taxpayer dollars?
Answer: A strong relationship with our Sheriff is paramount. The BOCC and our Sheriff have to work collaboratively to ensure that the budget process begin early enough to identify shortfalls and ensure the safety of our citizens.
3. Roads and infrastructure
Question: Road conditions, drainage and infrastructure remain concerns throughout Gadsden County. Which improvements would you prioritize in District 4, and how would you secure funding to complete them?
Answer: Hanna Mill Pond Road, Woodberry Road and Peck Betts Road all require significant attention. Given the county’s funding situation, it is imperative that we seek state funding through programs like FDOT’s SCOP (Small County Outreach Program) and SCRAP (Small County Road Assistance Program) to try and fix these problems.
4. Jobs and economic development
Question: What specific steps would you take to attract businesses, create higher-paying jobs and support existing small businesses in Gadsden County? How would you ensure economic development efforts benefit local residents?
Answer: Candidly the first step toward attracting new businesses is changing how the BOCC conducts its own business/meetings. The BOCC’s meetings can be disjointed and sometimes very little is accomplished. Prospective businesses can see this also.
5. Government accountability
Question: What changes would you support to improve transparency, accountability and public confidence in county government? What measurable goals would you commit to accomplishing during your first year in office?
Answer: First, I believe that we have to start our budget process much earlier in the year to give citizens the opportunity to not only be heard but to see where their tax dollars are being spent. Second, I think all contracts for all county vendors should be available online for the public to view. Third, outside aid to organizations not within the control of the County should be reviewed each budget cycle. In my first term I am committed to working toward having a more collegial and friendly atmosphere on the board, strengthen relationships with municipalities for common legislative goals, lowering the millage rate and streamlining how the County administers grant funds for projects such as EMS, EOC and Boys and Girls Club.