The Hays Free Press asked Buda City Council candidates the following questions. Answers are printed below.

1. What prompted you to seek office? 

For 21 years, Rebecca and I have had many opportunities to be involved.  Whether Coaching baseball and softball for our kids, serving on the Hays Education Foundation Board, HCISD Attendance Zone & Bond Committees, to leading the Buda Methodist Men’s Group and other church committees, we’ve been involved.  I served on the Buda Master Plan Committee in 2001 and led the effort to bring H-E-B to Buda.  I feel my past experience would be helpful in guiding policy decisions on the Council so Buda continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family.

2. What are the three most pressing issues Buda currently faces?  

Infrastructure, Growth and Planning.  Buda isn’t just one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, we are one of the fastest growing areas of the country.  And that isn’t going to change anytime soon.  I’ve seen our community go from 1,300 to 13,000 in population.  We must constantly focus on our infrastructure—roads, water, law enforcement and parks, to keep up with the growth.  We need to constantly evaluate and update our previous plans to manage our growth while ensuring we keep Buda affordable and taxes in check.

3. How should Buda approach managing the rapid growth?

Making sure our previous plans are still relevant with the changing dynamics of Buda’s needs.  Drainage issues based on the new information from the recent historic flooding, road repair and planning for our transportation needs, making certain our water and waste-water facilities and supply will meet the growing demand.  Maintaining and improving our quality of life issues like libraries and parks—which Buda is uniquely blessed to have such a great abundance.  Finally, making certain our tax base is a good balance of commercial to residential taxpayers—so the homeowner isn’t unfairly carrying too much of the tax load. 

4. Does Buda need workforce housing?

We need a broad range of housing options.  I don’t support subsidized low income housing, but I believe we need to expand the range of home options—specifically for our single earner households or where our civil servants like teachers, EMS, firefighters and police officers can afford to live in the town where they work.  More choice for our senior citizens—such as smaller Town Homes or condos.  Overheard the other night, “Buda was never meant to be a place of only $250,000 to $400,000 homes.”  I agree.  What makes us unique is our broad range of homes and neighborhoods.

5.  What will you do to keep in contact with your constituents? 

I was here when the first new neighborhoods of Ashford Park, Bradfield Village and Creekside were built.  We’ve grown from 7 neighborhoods to more than 20.  Now may be the time for a Buda Neighborhood Advisory Council, consisting of representatives from each neighborhood.  As a member of the Council, I will encourage the creation of this group to get a more formal process to hear concerns and seek more citizen involvement.  And as a Councilman, I will initiate a rotating monthly “Meeting with the Councilman” program to go to each neighborhood and hear citizen’s concerns.

6. What do you bring to the table that your opponents don’t?

Experience.  I served as staff to a member of the Texas Legislature.   Was honored to serve four years in Governor Ann Richards’ administration including 1 year on Executive Staff and Director of the Criminal Justice Division.  I led the effort to bring H-E-B to Buda and formed a company that has helped more than 150 Texas communities expand their retail tax base and create jobs.  I want to bring this experience to help Buda as we continue our growth.

7. What is an issue you believe should be given more attention? 

Government cooperation.  Decisions made by the Council are not done in a vacuum.  Decisions we make effect our school districts, road placement  with the County and State, and EMS & Fire protection.  Currently meetings with other governmental entities and neighboring communities are done on an inconsistent and infrequent basis.  I would like to see a more formal process where the members of the council meet on a regular schedule, monthly or quarterly, with the various agencies and entities that have an impact on Buda’s citizens.

8. What was the last movie or show you watched in theaters or streamed?

My family and I are Nexflix-o-holics.