The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of county judge, who presides over a five-member commissioners court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations. The county judge handles such widely varying matters as hearings for beer and wine license applications, hearing on admittance to state hospitals for the mentally ill and mentally retarded and temporary guardianships for special purposes.The judge is also responsible for calling elections, posting election notices and for receiving and canvassing the election returns. The county judge may perform marriages. A county judge in Texas may have judicial responsibility for certain criminal, civil and probate matters – responsibility for these functions vary from county to county. In those counties in which the judge has judicial responsibilities, the judge has appellate jurisdiction over matters arising from the justice courts. The county judge is also head of civil defense and disaster relief, county welfare and in counties under 225,000 population, the judge prepares the county budget along with the county auditor or county clerk.Additional DutiesVice-Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning OrganizationMember of Sheppard Air Force Base Community Relations CommitteeMember Sheppard Military Affairs CommitteeSupervising court member forHuman Relations DirectorChief, Public DefenderLaw LibrarianCounty Veterans Service OfficerSwitchboard OperatorHuman Resources DirectorInformation Systems DirectorRecords Management OfficerPublic Relations OfficerMember, Chief Elected Officials Board for NORTEX Regional Planning Commission
Name
Mark Dora
City
Kamay
State
Texas
Zip Code
76369
Campaign Website
markdoraforcountyjudge.com
My background over the past 30 years has been related to the important skills necessary for County Judge: strong financial management and a history of public service.
While a firefighter for nearly two decades, I worked in emergency situations. I have a degree in paramedicine and training in Incident Command Systems (ICS).
During my fire service career, I served as secretary/treasurer of a pension fund, managing a $150 million portfolio. In private business, my senior leadership positions have included 7+ years as CFO for a multi-million dollar company, and serving as CEO over my own successful business entities for 30+ years.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Education and am continuing graduate work in accounting and energy management.
1. Keeping our property tax rate low through fiscal responsibility. Inflation and unfunded state mandates will make this difficult so opportunities for economic development in the county should help. My experience managing multi-million dollar budgets will be very important.
2. Every employer is facing challenges hiring and maintaining good employees. Our employees may work for any of our 20+ elected officials, but the public sees them all as the face of Wichita County. Wichita County needs the best customer-service oriented employees with the ability to think critically in every county office.
3. The prompt communication of facts will make the County more transparent. Improving communication will build trust in Wichita County.
As an experienced CFO and CEO, I have worked with a team to develop and meet budget goals. My work with highly trained consultants and accountants has given me the skills to dial in actual cost and develop practices that achieve balanced budgets and profitability. The budgetary process requires a two-fold approach: working with numbers and people to create a functional, achievable, balanced budget.
Two primary objectives always guide budgeting and fiscal management:
Priority One: Never spend more than you bring in
Priority Two: Always save for the unexpected
The county needs to establish a baseline for water and energy use. Any usage above the baseline shall be funded 100% by the company using the water and energy. The company will also need to bear 100% of the needed infrastructure, including roads, county staffing, treatment of water, and energy production. The county should require operators to adopt solutions like closed-loop systems, water recycling, and advanced cooling technology (direct-to-chip) to reduce water and energy consumption.
Name
Rick Hatcher
City
Wichita Falls
State
Texas
Zip Code
76306
Campaign Website
RickHatcherforWichitaCountyJudge.com
Everything I have done in my life qualifies me for this job. The daily grind of starting, owning, running multiple businesses 40+yrs, with rarely a day off. Budgets, negotiations, solving problems under fire and making a payroll. Countless hrs of community service to boards and non profits throughout the county and beyond. Prior elected service (WF City Council, 3 terms), former Mayor Pro Tem. 11yrs on WF 4B Sales Tax Board. 2001 Graduate of Leadership Wichita Falls, 10yr LWF board member then board chair. MSU Business degree in Marketing/Management. I love every square inch of Wichita County, My homestead is in this county. I have been here worshiping God, raising a family, creating jobs, & giving back. Never left for greener pastures.
Three challenges in county governance are always budgets, tax rates and financial stability. Public safety and the justice system comprise nearly half the county budget, therefore supporting law enforcement, sheriff's office, jail and the courts systems is a core focus to ensure justice and public protection. We need controlled growth of our tax base to hold down the tax rate. Maintaining financial stability amidst a natural disaster or the potential unforeseen expenses of multiple large trials requiring a change of venue can put pressure on the emergency management and justice system budgets. Besides these 3, there are always challenges relating to staffing, infrastructure, general administrative efficiencies and improving transparency.
I've created or helped to create, and ensured operations within budgets of all sizes. Church, non-profit organizations, businesses I've owned, WF 4B board, up to the Wichita Falls city budget over $200million. Efficiency and transparency are key. County priorities include the Sheriff and LEC operations, Public Safety & Justice, Infrastructure, Emergency Management, and delivering other essential local services mandated by the state.
Controlled economic growth is essential. Data centers are very expensive to build thus will only locate where the infrastructure will support them. It is common to see large solar farms in conjunction with these complexes to accommodate their power needs. Near term water availability is sufficient thanks to innovation in treatment methodologies, however water in our region is always a concern. SAFB approval is crucial to assure no conflicts with their missions. I will negotiate the best deals for Wichita County with these data centers to protect our interests.
