Q&A: Get to know Missouri City at large Position 2 candidates

Why are you running for this office, specifically?

I am seeking this position because of the senseless spending priorities of the city!! For too many years certain parts of Missouri City have had their amenities subsidized by the city when other areas were told to fund their own amenities!! In 2008 a bond was approved for parks and recreation. It was mostly spent of the failing take over of the Quail Valley golf course. To this day hotel occupancy taxes are being spent on that golf course!!

What do you consider to be the top priority for Missouri City?

Missouri City need to get another new city manager!! The city IT director should not be performing this function!! The pay structure needs to be improved so the City does not continue losing police and firefighters to nearby cities that have better compensation!!

What do you think are the biggest needs for Missouri City, and how do you plan to address these needs?

Missouri City needs to consolidate the more than 36 MUD districts to provide water and sewer service!!! It does not make economic sense to have 36 water and sewer providers for a city of about only 80,000 residents!! Almost $400,000 is being spent on legal fees just to the legal firms to operate these districts! That does not even include the accounting firms and tax agencies that are also on that merry-go-round!! The city also needs to reduce its dependence on residential property taxes and try to get out of the METRO tax merry-go- round where only 50% of that tax revenue comes back to Missouri City!!

Why are you rerunning for this office, specifically?

I am running because, although we have made tremendous progress, we still have more to do such as completing our search for a city manager, Texas Parkway corridor revitalizations, small business programs and implementing various other initiatives that were initiated during my term. As an At-Large Council member, I represent all four districts equally in our city and take pride in my service record that speaks to the diverse needs of Missouri City.

What do you consider to be the top priority for Missouri City?

Our aging infrastructure citywide must be addressed. Also, we are finalizing our 2023 budget and working as a team to ensure our police and fire departments are fully staffed and compensated so our city remains one of the safest in Texas. Third, thanks to last year’s bond election, which was voted on favorably by our residents, our streets, parks, and special projects around the city will get the attention they deserve.

What do you think are the biggest needs for Missouri City, and how do you plan to address these needs?

Fully staff our police and fire departments and provide compensation comparable to our neighboring cities. I recently proposed increasing the hiring bonuses our Police and Fire Chiefs presented. This financial increase will address their immediate needs filling the current openings. Hire a new City Manager. We are in the final interview stage now and will continue with our transparent processes to hire the individual best suited to lead our city.