Undergraduate degree and PhD (all but dissertation) – UT Austin; Master’s in Health Care Administration - Texas State University; 30+ years as Healthcare CEO and other C Level experience; Mayor/City Councilmember-City of Sunrise Beach; 30 year Licensed Paramedic; Member – Sunrise Beach Volunteer Fire Department; ESD Commissioner – ESD 8 Williamson County; Director – Williamson County Board of Health; Various specialized trainings through Texas Municipal League for elected officials
Austin Diagnostic Clinic Administrator - budget responsibility approx.$30 million; Murfreesboro Medical Clinic CEO - budget responsibility approx. $60 million; Scott and White COO/Associate Executive Director - budget responsibility approx. $100 million; While not the size of the Llano County budget, as Mayor I control all facets of municipal Government, including Water, Police, Facilities, Municipal Court, Parks, and Administration.
I do not believe that the Llano County budget is “inflated”. However, there is always room for improvement. For example, one of our largest expenses is salary and benefits. I intend to examine how our pay scale impacts turnover. In addition, by far the largest piece of employee benefits is healthcare. I intend to provide rigor and scrutiny to our annual benefits review. In Sunrise Beach, my healthcare background enabled us to reduce a proposed 27% increase in healthcare premiums to 2%, while actually enhancing benefits for staff.
Improve and enhance services offered to our citizens, especially healthcare; Work with other elected officials and County staff to maintain safety in our communities and roads; Encourage but manage growth, with the overreaching goal of preserving our Hill Country culture, within the rigor given to the budget process
Presiding Officer-Commissioner’s Court – All priorities. Budgeting/Policy Setting: Keep uppermost that the County government responds to the citizens, and reflects their priorities. Judicial Functions: Presides over misdemeanor criminal cases, small civil cases, and probate matters. Gain knowledge in the legal matters prescribed to the County Court by the Constitution. Emergency Management Coordinator for the county, coordinates responses to disasters and emergencies, designates emergency management coordinators - Priority #2. Elections/Appointments: Responsible for calling elections, posting election notices, and canvassing election returns. Appoints members to various county boards and commissions- Priorities #2 and #3.
The role of Llano County Judge has many responsibilities, each with a different skillset. During my 30-year career of managing people, processes and assets, I developed people, implemented continuous improvement in challenging environments, worked within fixed and variable budgets, managed emergency response teams, and had oversight and adjudication of critical investigations. Being a Risk Manager is dealing with problems that might be encountered and the assets that can be deployed to avoid or mitigate those problems. Additionally, I have a track record of building bridges between those with opposing views which would be useful as county judge.
The budget for Llano County is significant and requires the efforts of all elected officials for its development and implementation. I have experience with building and implementing budgets in private and public companies at departmental and project levels of approximately $9,000,000. There is little difference in the process of budget development, approval and oversight from one entity to another. My previous experience will be an asset.
The budget for Llano County has been well managed over the past few years. Looking at similar sized and situated counties, Llano County has a modest tax rate in comparison. Although our overall tax rate is low compared to others, the Commissioner’s Court has the obligation to reduce waste and reduce the overall tax burden to our constituents, when feasible.
While avoiding the obvious: property rights, eliminating waste, and serving the interests of the constituents, the following are important: Uphold Llano County principles, by standing with the Llano County Commissioner’s Court to protect conservative principles. Facilitate the budget process to keep property tax rates at the current level, if not reduced. Ensure Llano County meets or exceeds State regulatory requirements to avoid loss of funds, avoid future compliance costs and increase the county’s grant opportunities.
The priorities I outlined are permissible within the framework of the Texas Constitution and purpose of the county government. Although the County Judge role is often referred to as the CEO of the county, the office does not have carte blanche to act independently of the Commissioner’s Court. I want to partner with others to protect the rights of Llano County citizens.
