Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Conroe City Council Place 2

What is your top priority if elected?

Several places within the city demand our attention. However, ethics among city leaders is crucial. The voters and the citizens of Conroe need to be able to depend on what they hear coming out of Conroe City Council. Without honesty and integrity, they have nothing.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Conroe residents?

The biggest issues facing Conroe residents are budget reform and water.

How would you approach planning the city’s next fiscal year budget?

We will research and interview city department heads and project leaders to establish current successes and challenges. Then, we'll formulate resolutions to those challenges, balancing it all with growth forecasts.

How would you address development and growth in Conroe?

Development and growth are dependent upon taxes for success. We need a business-friendly attitude within the city to help generate those taxes. Keeping the commercially generated taxes balanced with individual family's taxes is important. Focusing and tweaking economic development is key to growth and development.

What is your top priority if elected?

Structure, transparent and fiscal discipline decision making

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Conroe residents?

Conroe’s rapidly growing excessive debt (over $700m); gross mismanagement to construct/operate of Conroe Hyatt Hotel and Convention Center; sacrifice of our natural resources to accommodate developers; higher taxes and water rates

How would you approach planning the city’s next fiscal year budget?

Achieve financial solvency

How would you address development and growth in Conroe?

Grow Conroe at a measured pace without major impact on our natural resources (trees, water and wildlife); improve quality of life for our citizens (taxes, infrastructure and security/safety)

What is your top priority if elected?

Debt servicing—there are three certificates of obligation for the Hyatt Hotel and a payment due for interest only of $3,273,400 for both 2024 and 2025. In 2051, the combined principle of $77,090,000 and interest cost of $59,363,925 brings the total debt calculated to...

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Conroe residents?

Infrastructure (transportation routes, re: expansion of South Loop 336 East from I-45, fire stations with four-person crew per apparatus for 24/7 support, police sub-stations as warranted, water and public utilities). City planning for new subdivisions with adequate infrastructure with an emphasis on subdivision traffic impacts

How would you approach planning the city’s next fiscal year budget?

Review year-over-year budget (YOY), sales tax receipts and allocation, population analysis for past three years, review projected revenues for 2024-2025 to prepare a baseline budget by city department. Project expected population for the budget year and compare to the prior YOY information.

How would you address development and growth in Conroe?

The availability of infrastructure to support ongoing development approved by the planning commission. The city of Conroe comprehension plan for the year 2040 provides an overview of the future of Conroe. The Conroe Industrial Development Corporation (CIDC) is to attract new business opportunities and promote the economic development of Conroe.