Over their two-year term, a JP is responsible for:Setting real estate, personal property and sales tax rates in the county.Determining the final budget for county departments and offices - including salaries - and appropriating funds for county expenses.Preserving the peace and order in the county, though they do not have the authority to make any offense a felony. This often takes the form of passing county laws and in some counties making planning decisions.Contract or join with any other county or city, or the federal government for a public purpose.Creating, consolidating, separating, or abandoning any elected office in the county if first approved by voters.Filling vacancies in elected county offices.Providing for any service or performance of any function related to county affairs.Many Quorum Courts also have subcommittees that JPs serve on and discuss the more nitty gritty details before an issue appears before the whole group. These committees have included budget/finance, building, economic development, environmental, personnel, legislative affairs, public safety, Justices of the peace also have the authority to marry a couple.https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/ced-blog/posts/2022/may/what-is-a-justice-of-the-peace.aspx
Campaign Phone
4799268257
I will be working as part of the county government to oversee how taxes are raised and how the county's money is spent. I see my job, on behalf of the citizens of Sebastian County, is to guarantee that they get the most from their money and pay no more taxes than absolutely necessary.
At 51 years of age, I have seen and experienced many things in my time. I am an active member in my local church. I have a strong family background in the military and in business. My family has been filled with self-made blue collar business owners. I helped run a family business, as vice president, with my father. I have had years of experience in dealing with construction companies, while learning to see situations from their perspective. In preparation for this position, I am spending hours and hours pouring over prior meetings and decisions to determine if they aligned with the bests interests of the people of Sebastian County. With my first grandchild, I am concerned now, more than ever, with the legacy that I leave.
I plan on having perfect attendance and previewing all the materials pertaining to the meeting ahead of time so that I know what is going on prior to the meeting (to the best of my ability). Some of these meeting packets can be 250 pages. It's not light reading! I am not afraid to ask questions. I will make every attempt to oppose wasteful spending, so that the tax burden of the people can be ultimately reduced. I know that a government is like a business and can fail at any level if it is run poorly. Wasteful spending can eat you alive. I do, however, believe that all of the people employed by the county should be paid well and with good benefits. We should be able to attract and retain the most qualified people in service to the public.
Campaign Phone
4794201910
I will assist the county government with putting together an annual budget, following the budget, and approving expenditures and projects associated with the budget. I often describe a justice of the peace is similar to a city board of director, but at the county level.
I have close to twenty-four years of accounting experience, with 2026 being year twenty with Hanna Oil & Gas. I understand the need to constantly analyze the money coming in and out. In my current position, I am involved in several areas, including but not limited to financials, billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger.
I have gone through the following citizen's academies in Fort Smith: Citizens Police Academy (2005 & 2018), Citizens Academy (2007), Citizens Fire Academy (2008 & 2019), Citizens Sheriffs Academy (2013), and Citizens FBI Academy (2016). These showed me an inside look on how these entities are ran-I truly enjoyed the experience!
I am also an alumna of Leadership Fort Smith-class of 2010.
I plan to show up and do the job well at every meeting. By being present, prepared, and willing to put in the work, I will serve the county and its people with accountability and care.
