Hays Post
Chris McGowne, Joe Leroux, Nathan Leiker and Randy Marintzer are all on the Republican ballot for the Third District seat on the Ellis County Commission. The primary will be Tuesday, Aug. 2. The Third District is the largest in land size of the three county commission districts. It is made up of six townships, which includes the entire eastern edge of Ellis County and an area north of Hays.
After the passage of two quarter-cent sales taxes in 2020, the county short term financial situation has improved but the taxes are scheduled to sunset in 2030. How do you propose the county improve its financial footing in the long term, and do you believe the sales tax should be extended?
At this point, the two .25 sales tax is proving to assist greatly with the necessary infrastructure repair and maintenance finances. At this point, I could see that as a viable alternative to raising property taxes or other forms of taxation. Spreading that out over any purchases in the county is a more attractive alternative than other options. It’s worthy of considering for continuation.
Past commissions have earmarked a portion of the sales tax for infrastructure upkeep and improvements. As a commissioner would you continue to support that effort? Why or why not?
Yes, I absolutely support the infrastructure upkeep and improvements. The current county sales tax is assisting that. Getting and keeping maintenance and necessary improvements is of utmost important.
What do you see as the top concern of Ellis County voters over the next few years and what would you do to ease that concern?
I gather the top concerns of the voters to be property taxes and oversight or accountability on how the taxes are spent as the biggest concern for many.
Should the Ellis County Commission be more or less proactive in economic development in the county and, if so, what is the best way to attract business to the area?
I do think the county should be proactive in economic development by assuring new business and current ones that they and their customers will have good access to their businesses. One of the pit falls is the lack of good sources for water. We need to be very active in developing that.
The commission has worked with the cities within Ellis County on various projects. Do you see any other opportunities for continued cooperation? Are there areas where the entities need to expand cooperation?
The fact that the County does share equipment and services among all the smaller towns, Victoria, Ellis, Schoenchen, as needed, is very cost effective and economically sound. Bundling the purchases and inputs is sensible!
In your view, what is the primary difference between how you would serve as a county commissioner and the other candidates?
My view is pretty simple. Myself and one other candidate are the only ones running that own homes, property, and businesses in Ellis County, essentially , genuinely having ‘skin in the game’. We pay a lot of taxes from several avenues in Ellis County. As such, we aren’t moving or advancing in jobs or elections anywhere else. We are here for the long haul. Not only is our past here, so is our future!
In what ways does your personal and professional experience qualify you to serve as an Ellis County Commissioner?
I have lived in and done business in Ellis County for over 50 years and have enjoyed the benefits this county has afforded us. I believe it’s my time to step up and give back in this way.
As a farmer for over 40 years, I know and have experience for budgeting for upcoming years based on , basically , only 2 paychecks a year and having to plan at least 2 years in advance for inputs and expenses. Seems similar in task as this position.
What decision made by the county commission in the last few years did you disagree with and what would have been your decision?
I am not aware of any specific decision by the current commissioners that I had an opinion about.
A group of area real estate agents have called for the commission to expand from three members to five. Do you believe the commission would benefit from expansion?
First of all, why is there being a consideration like this from a specific property entity or business? That throws a red flag for me!
I don’t believe the commission would benefit at all from expanding from 3 to 5 commissioners. In visiting with several different previous commissioners and authorities in the operation of the county, there have been only 2 times in the last 40 years , that there was an issue with not reaching a majority on an issue. That’s a phenomenal accomplishment! The system isn’t broken, it doesn’t need ‘fixed’!!
Also, the enormous expense it would take to not only redistrict Ellis County, but the added expense of more commissioners to do what can be done very well, as it is now.
Opponents of the effort claim that it will make the commission less transparent, do you agree or disagree? What would you do to ensure transparency?
Current laws are in place to keep private, illegal, meetings from taking place between commissioners on County business, since 2 out of 3 would set up a majority. With 3, there can be no private meetings, legally. That’s more easily watched with 3 commissioners. The opportunity to have a non majority, 2 at a time having private meetings, then interconnecting (manipulation) (daisy chaining) with each other or special interest groups would be much more likely to occur without detection!
When commission is only allowed, legally, to meet as the group of 3, in public setting, whatever is discussed is wide open with each other and with Ellis County citizens free to attend all public meetings on this, obviously, transparency would be MUCH more likely!
Editor's note: Hays Post compiled a list of relevant questions for all candidates, who received and responded to that same list.