Oconee County Council, District 3 - Republican Primary Choose 1
Oconee County Council is a five member elected governing body. The Council is responsible for adopting the annual budget, setting the county property tax rate, and creating legislation via ordinances, resolutions and proclamations. Daily operations of the County are directed by the County Administrator, who is appointed by the Council. Council members serve a four-year term.NOTE: If a candidate's answers are not visible, the candidate may not have completed the survey prior to our publication date. Updated response will be posted as they are received. Voters are welcome to encourage the candidate to share their views.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
864-710-5785
Given the projection for continued growth for Oconee County, what steps do you think need to be taken to ensure appropriate infrastructure and services (sewer, water, electricity, roads, police, etc.) to address that growth?
I have been an advocate for studies regarding impact fees for developments not including single family homes. Similar to Fountain Inn and many counties in SC. This would ensure that large corporations manage the burden on large infrastructural requirements and assist in supporting our EMS, Fire, and Police. We must target this growth effectively by instilling an overlay that would decrease sprawl in order to not strain our resources, but that it something that would have to be meticulously planned as to not step on private property rights.
What measures should Oconee County consider in addressing the situation of homeless encampments?
Something they had intended to do was achieve a grant in order to have a homeless task force in our county law enforcement, which I believe is a step in the right direction for enforecement, but having affordable places to live would also help. We have to remember the homeless are made in the same image of God those with homes are. This would mean looking over current ordinances like 3 units to a driveway in order to provide lower income affordable housing in certain areas outside of municipal limits. But this also means we must continue to strengthen our job market as well.
What strategies do you have for addressing affordable/workforce housing?
As aforementioned, it would require looking over current density ordinances in cooperation with our planning department to gauge the trade off of higher density and lower density.
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of bringing data centers into Oconee County?
Some advantages could be higher income tech jobs, which stimulate the economy and would be incredibly beneficial. But the large negative is that Oconee currently does not have the capability to support a large scale data center into the county. The resources are often recyclable but it is the increase in power costs that I would foresee as the issue.
What will be an important additional issue that the council will face in the coming year? What is your position on that issue?
An issue that council has and will continue to face is development. It is not always bad to grow, our county grows at an above average rate; however, it is important that we do not continue to give the developers kickbacks. As we must fight to continue to have a free and fair county economy.
Biographical Information
Given the projection for continued growth for Oconee County, what steps do you think need to be taken to ensure appropriate infrastructure and services (sewer, water, electricity, roads, police, etc.) to address that growth?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What measures should Oconee County consider in addressing the situation of homeless encampments?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What strategies do you have for addressing affordable/workforce housing?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of bringing data centers into Oconee County?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What will be an important additional issue that the council will face in the coming year? What is your position on that issue?
Candidate has not yet responded.