Hays Post
Michael Berges and Jim Pfeifer are on the Republican ballot for the First District seat on the Ellis County Commission. The primary will be Tuesday, Aug. 2. The First District represents a portion of Hays and the northwest part of Ellis County, including the city of Ellis.
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?
Communicate with all department heads to ensure there is no wasteful spending to eliminate any sales tax extension.
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?
Maintaining the infrastructure is a vital component if Ellis County expects to retain and attract new businesses.
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?
Two top concerns of the Ellis County voters are 1) unnecessary/needless spending and 2) maintenance of all county roads. Compelling the department heads to be accountable for their expenditures.
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?
The Ellis County Commission should be more proactive in maintaining and improving our infrastructure and working and communicating with the local cities.
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?
Collaborating and working with all the cities within Ellis County is essential. The Ellis County Commission should attend city meetings and communicate with city managers to determine the best course in working beneficially for all concerned.
In your view, what is the primary difference between how you would serve as a county commissioner and the other candidates?
I have the ability to adapt to different situations and will communicate and be attentive to the concerns of the Ellis County residents.
In what ways does your personal and professional experience qualify you to serve as an Ellis County Commissioner?
With living in the rural area/community and working on the family farm all my life in Ellis County, plus working 32 plus years for telecommunication companies, I understand the day-to-day workings in the rural life and the ever-changing technology affecting both rural and city. Working daily with the public, I understand and know that listening and communicating with people is vital.
What decision made by the county commission in the last few years did you disagree with and what would have been your decision?
I was very disappointed in the lack of communication that the commissioners showed when they made the decision to permanently close the steal bridge on 140th Avenue. I feel the landowners and tenants that used that bridge everyday should have been notified personally, so they had a chance to voice their concerns before the commissioners voted. If I am elected, I will be fully transparent and will make sure if an event like this happens again, I would make sure landowners and tenants have been properly noticed.
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?
To expand the commission from three to five members would add significant expense to the county budget in addition to the costs of redistricting the county.
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?
Disagree. By communicating with residents, attending city meetings, and other organizations, and being available to listen and respond to the concerns of the Ellis County residents.