The beauty of democracy is the ability of each citizen to participate and to have his voice heard. Our commissioners must be leaders who advocate for a citizen's right to be heard and to participate fully in local government. To do that, a citizen must:
- Have the right to speak, regardless of social or economic station or political beliefs;
- Know that the decision making process is public and transparent, and that important decisions and choices will be debated openly, and not be discussed or made behind closed doors.
Pace Setter County
Williamson County is in the fast lane of transitioning counties in Texas. We are no longer only a rural county, but a county with a rapidly growing urban sector. Our commissioners must be leaders who plan ahead and think outside the box. Instead of simply reacting and being in the middle of a battle between two competitors, arguing about how best to increase an ever expanding landfill, our commissioners need to investigate and pursue technologies and policies that eliminate waste and encourage recycling.
Fiscal Responsibility
Among other things the State of Texas charges counties with the responsibility of setting the tax rate, adopting a budget, issuing bonds, and letting contracts. Our commissioners must be leaders who are economic realists. They must balance necessary spending priorities, reflecting the county's needs, against the citizens ability to pay the bills. This balancing act requires exceptional experience in planning and setting priorities in order to ensure that our growing community will have strong law enforcement, efficient health and welfare services, and improved transportation through responsible and planned development in the years to come.
