Why are you running for this position?  What are the three main attributes that make you the most qualified for this position?

I enjoy giving back to my community.

I am a fiscal conservative that believes government should be run in the most efficient manner possible.

I currently run a succesful business and there is no reason these same priciples cannot be used in municipal government.

14 years experince in creating and operating within a budget.

What are the 3 most pressing issues in your city and what is your preferred solution to each?

Water supply, wastewater treatment, infrustructure.

We have laid out a plan to continualy add water wells over the next 10 years. We are currently working on another expansion to our current wastewater treament facility as well as possible plans for a second plant. Both plans show us ahead of the projected growth. Street repairs continue to be funded by our HB445 fund which collects sales tax specifically for road repars.

Are you now or have you or a family member ever done business with The City of Magnolia and/or a Magnolia/county official and if so, the nature of that relationship?

I have never done anythinjg for the city of magnolia other then volunteer as mayor. I am also unaware of any family member having done business with the city.

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?

To my knowledge their is no provision within the local government code for a Type A city to impose term limits. This would obviously be something to address when the time comes for a home rule charter. I would not oppose term limits. The limit would depend on the length of term.

Rick Carby, primarily becasue oif the time we have served together and our shared conservative values.

What's your interpretation of the "Separation of Church and State"?

That the goverenment should not establish a religion or impose an official religion upon the people.

While this phrase does not actually appear in the US Constituion, people have used this term to define the "the establishment clause". I belive this term has been drastically misinterpreted and the original intent was solely to allow people the fredom to worship as they choose.

Where do you stand on the GRP (Groundwater Reduction Plan) Contract and why?

I am against it. I do not believe the science is behind the current GRP. It really makes no sense to place restrictions on a geographical area when the ground water supply is not confined within that same area.

What's your position on the SJRA and Lonestar Groundwater boards?  Explain.

I believe we need better and more local representaion on the SJRA board should the SJRA continue. I think state lawmakers should try and find a way to settle the debt of the SJRA and abolish them. I think Lonestar has become more people friendly now that the board is elected by the citizens. I am willing to wait and see how they might improve now that they answer to the people.

How do you feel about private property rights, with respect to City ordinances?  Which one take precedence?

I am a strong proponent of private property rights, but we need a commen sense aprpoach to ordinances as they apply to these rights. I would have to take them on a case by case basis. I don't think an ordinace should remove someone's private property rights.

How do you feel about inner-city MUDs and why?

I have no objection and they have worked for us in the past. The city would not have the ability to finance the infrastruture in a new developement but a MUD allows the developer to recover the cost of doing it themselves. I do think they should phase out at some point.

What is the current budget surplus and should any of it be returned to the residents, pay down debt or retained in a rainy day fund and if so, how much and why?

Our most recent budeget does not project a surplus. We are currently maintaining approximately 4 months of expenses in reserves.

Does the City Administrator need a vehicle and/or car allowance in performance of his job?

I think so, they do a lot of travel as it relates to city business. I prefer an allowance to a city provided car.

Should Magnolia be funding non-profit organization events, such as the local civic club, with tax dollars?

No.

Do you support or oppose creation of Improvement Districts and Economic Development Districts? Why or why not?

I am not opposed if they make good sense for the city, but this would have to be looked at closely. We have a TIRZ in the city that was negotiated to end a PID assessment the homeowners in the specific area were having to pay. It was a good solution for the specific situation and helped the citizens in that area.

Do you feel the city should be in the real estate business and to what extent(granting abatements)?  (example - Industrial/Technolgy Park)

I am not opposed to incentives that make sense. In the past we have primarily utilized sales tax incentives as opposed to abatement.

Have you ever been convicted as result of arrest? Ever had any tax liens? If so, give start & resolution dates?

No.

Please describe what measures you propose to improve transparency and accountability to the public.

Live streaming our meetings would be something I am not opposed to that I would like to see happen if economicaly possible.

Do you support or oppose providing welfare and health benefits to illegal aliens and recent immigrants? If so, why do they deserve this support and if not, how is such a policy the best solution for communities?

Oppose.

How long have you been consistently voting in elections? For which parties candidates? List all the elections you have voted in for the past 3 years (2014-2016).

I have voted in every state, local and federal election for over 20 years. I have always voted Republican.

What's the turnover in the city staff and do you consider that to be normal, high or low?  And if high, to what do you attribute the cause?

We have some turnover at entry level public works positions, but nothing excessive.

Should City employees living out of the city and/or county take home city vehicles?  Why or why not?

I believe the police supervisors/police chief should be allowed a take home vehicle even if living outside the city. This is to facilitate a quick response time should they be needed. I would also consider an exception for the on call public works employee that responds after hours and on weekends. This again would facilitate a much quicker response.