Cody Cribbs, Rodney Dupree, James Hearne, Patrick Kincaid, Craig Merritt and Morgan West are running for the Republican Party nomination for the Pct. 2 Scurry County Commissioners’ Court on March 6.
Early voting begins Tuesday.
The candidates responded to questions from the Snyder Daily News:
Q. — Why are you running for this office and what makes you the candidate voters should elect?
Cribbs — I am running for commissioner because I want to help the people of our precinct and our county. I have a wide range of qualifications which include many aspects of business, dirt work and an in-depth understanding of how the budget process works.
Dupree — I want to bring common sense back to county government. With hard work and dedication, we can bring respect back to the commissioners’ court that has been lost. I have experience in local government as I sat on the city council for two years. Apart from experience on city council, I bring business experience in today’s economy and budget knowledge from both. I have been a business owner since 1999 in Snyder and will run the county’s budget like one, with the taxpayers as the owner. I want to make a positive impact on our community.
Hearne — My family and I experienced great change upon retiring honorably from a productive Border Patrol career, also challenging family illnesses and our faith brought us to Scurry County. My family and I felt welcomed and have enjoyed the lifestyle, low crime and serenity of Scurry County for seven wonderful years. I refuse to stand by and allow this rare and beautiful place of serenity be wasted. I know I will be able to provide the independence, knowledge, courage, leadership, experience and proven ability to improve and safeguard our community through my desire to spur growth and fiscal conservation.
Kincaid — That’s easy. I want to help the people of Scurry County. The county is split up into four precincts for a reason. People should elect someone in their precinct who’s lived there. Someone who knows the concerns of their neighbors and friends who live around them. I have lived in Precinct 2 for 15 years and worked at the same place for 23 years. Scurry County is where I grew up and went to school. I am very excited at the prospect of being your commissioner, meeting those folks I haven’t met yet and giving back to our community.
Merritt — I have owned and operated a trucking business for over 35 years. Had 40 employees, made payroll, maintained maintenance on equipment, one of the most important things in that business. We have a $18 million business in this county, we need a business minded man on the court. When you make a statement that you grow a budget to help the taxpayer, that’s outside the box. Bent, broken rules LGC (secret oil well) voting member of the LGC who wasn’t an elected official able to vote on taxpayer money. Maverick West, opened lid on emergency reserve. No new taxes.
West — I waited until the last day to file for commissioner. I kept waiting for a candidate to say they would try to actually cut spending. I have found many ways to cut spending and if I am elected, I will have seven more months to observe and make notes so that when January 2019 gets here I will be prepared to take office. Nearly every department that our county has should be able to cut 5 percent of their budget without affecting services or personnel.
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Q. — How will you make sure basic road maintenance and upgrades are performed in your precinct and what will you do to ensure taxpayers’ money — local, state and federal — is protected from outcomes like what happened with Cavender Road?
Cribbs — With my current occupations, I travel the roads of our county and my precinct on a daily basis. I will drive the roads in my precinct regularly to make sure that the proper maintenance is performed with the money that the budget allows. The taxpayers’ money should and will be used to improve and maintain the infrastructure that we have.
Dupree — By keeping a full and qualified staff, along with a realistic road materials budget, we can keep the roads maintained in an acceptable manner. As far as Cavender Road, the contracts we engage in should have a recovery clause that protects the county against financial loss due to unacceptable construction. We should use TxDOT’s strict compaction and materials standards as our own. However, Cavender Road was done with a grant and we have enough monies left in that grant’s funds to repair the road ourselves without any additional taxpayer money.
Hearne — Precious tax dollars must always be valued before funding any project. Cost effective methods, oversight and leadership achieve best value for taxpayers. Seeking public input and knowledge for projects is wise. With Cavender Road, little or none was sought or used. Quality and appropriate design parameters must be determined prior to starting any project. With Cavender Road, they were poorly identified, then poorly executed using poor quality materials, oversight and methods. I would provide supervision, oversight and direction. With Cavender Road, little or no supervision was provided. No corrective action was taken upon discovery of inferior work and materials.
Kincaid — County roads have been neglected for so long that it will take some time to get back on track. If elected, our team will be on this problem starting immediately. Repairing these roads and bridges will be big on our list of goals. Cavender Road was a mistake, and anyone who’s been on that road knows it. I will be working with other commissioners to make sure mistakes like this are not made in the future. Let’s look to the future.
Merritt — You make basic maintenance on roads and upgrades by being with your foreman and crew, not on the phone at a job in town. We have three employees. I wrote in a letter to the residents in Precinct 2, if one got hurt commissioner needs to be there, not at another job in town. It has happened. This is the reason for a full-time commissioner. The traffic relief route was born in Sam Joyce’s time. Wouldn’t put it where he wanted. Cavender is there. They don’t want it back. Don’t elect dreams, elect a businessman.
West — As far as I know. I am the only candidate running for Precinct 2 commissioner with road building and maintenance experience. I will inspect all of Precinct 2’s roads at least every other month. I will prioritize roads where people actually reside. Cavender Road was built mainly to get a TxDOT grant. It was probably the most unneeded road in the county. Projects such as it should be studied more carefully before being acted on. TxDOT grants are our tax money too. Maintenance and upkeep will go on forever.
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Q. — What is the appropriate level of reserves to maintain the county’s general fund and how will we get there?
Cribbs — I believe an appropriate level is an amount that is equal to 12 months of operating capital. With conservative spending, using the resources that we have and maintaining our current infrastructure we, as a taxpaying commissioners’ court, can add money to the general fund to increase it from our current level.
Dupree — The GFOA, the Government Finance Officers Association, recommends that no less than two months budget totals should be in reserves. However, most government associations recommend a six-month level for reserve funds for emergency purposes. $17,090,363 in the 2018 budget should leave $2,848,000 for two months and $8,545,000 for six months reserves. We can cut from the budget, but it s a fairly lean one. Unfortunately, it would take small tax increases, mineral value increases and budget cuts to achieve this.
Hearne — Appropriate reserve levels would be about $10 million or about six months of expenses, obligations and expenditures. I would always prefer even larger reserves. Before we talk about reserves, we must confront the impending spending and budget problems that we face. Many years of disregard must be reviewed and acted upon. Once the budget is reviewed and reduced, we could reverse this trend and determine proper amounts and priorities that should be budgeted. Funds can then be spent at lower more acceptable, supportable and justifiable programs. Decisions must not adversely affect county operations or lead to undue risk.
Kincaid — In my opinion, the appropriate level of reserves should be one year’s budget, which is about $18 million. This will take time and good budget planning to achieve.
Merritt — Attending court for over a year, monthly bills have ran a million-plus. A fair emergency reserve is six to eight months of monthly bills in the reserve. The reserve should stand alone. Nothing comes out unless an emergency. You can have a reserve in your budget so you can put an amount in every year. We have windmill revenue coming in, put some in reserve. The time of tax and spend and save in good times, spend in bad times needs to stop. The old saying that things can go to hell in a hand basket still true.
West — Our county reserves should be returned to $7.3 million or more. We had at least $7.3 million in December 2012. Our county judge is also our budget officer. Our budget and spending in the last five years have led to the depletion of our reserve fund. There is only two ways to replace these funds — raise taxes and reduce spending. I will vote to reduce spending, but it will take many years to rebuild the reserve fund.
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Q. — Several times over the past four years the county has attempted to block public questions and comments by requiring resumes from reporters before answering questions, requiring questions to be submitted in writing and charging for answers and not allowing any public comment during meetings. Were these appropriate and would you allow them to happen if you are elected?
Cribbs — I promise to uphold the rules that are set forth in the Texas Open Meetings Act. I will be as transparent as legally possible with the information of the court.
Dupree — Definitely not appropriate. It broke the trust that elected officials had with their voters. I won’t participate in this type of behavior. Also, I will bring a vote to allow public comments at the commissioners’ court meetings. This will help answer questions the paper was trying to ask for our citizens. Furthermore, I will bring to the court a motion to hold our meetings at 5:30 p.m. so our citizens can attend, speak and be heard by the court. Hopefully, I can help restore openness and transparency our voters expect from elected officials.
Hearne — They were not appropriate and should not continue. Upon election such censorship or actions will not be tolerated. It would be reasonable to identify a reporter but not to unreasonably infringe upon the freedom of the press. Additionally, I propose that all open meetings be audio/video recorded and posted on the county’s webpage. This improvement would foster public engagement and allow access to more members of the community and general public to be included in proceedings and gain further understanding. Additionally, I would propose that commissioners’ court meetings be scheduled to allow for greater public involvement and opinion.
Kincaid — There should be rules in place where questions are concerned. However, I don’t believe a reporter should have to submit their resume or pay a fee to have their questions answered. The 1st Amendment exists for a reason. I will be in close enough contact with the people in Precinct 2 to know what their questions are before an upcoming meeting. I am for public questions before meetings start and addressing those questions then. Having a lot of questions during meetings could cause chaos. Everyone should be able to talk to their commissioner and give their input every day.
Merritt — I have learned over years that if you don’t know all the details don’t speak. I do not know the details so I won’t speak on this. Special or called meeting on non-agenda items, no questions are allowed. Speaking time is set by the judge. That is the rules. Allen West said, “Rules and the Constitution are to protect the people from the Government.” Rules have been bent and some have been broken. This is not kosher, our county deserves better than this. Check out your candidates, don’t add to the swamp.
West — A county official should answer any question asked by a reporter or a private citizen without a delay. These answers should be truthful and without any spin. Our officials seem to forget that they work for us and are accountable to us. I have pledged from the beginning that I will make a motion that any Scurry County citizen be allowed to speak at any commissioners’ court meeting. If we have to sit there an extra hour, so what, that is what our job should be. There should never be a charge for answers, either.
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Q. — Will you be a full-time commissioner? If not, will you see to it that your salary is reduced to reflect your part-time status?
Cribbs — My wife and I own and operate multiple businesses in our county. I am employed by a family-owned business. I have the ability to adjust my time as needed and will devote all the time that the county needs to the county and my precinct. My salary should and will be commensurate to the amount of time that is provided.
Dupree — I will be a full-time commissioner. As a former Snyder City Councilman, I am aware of the time required to do due diligence in running the daily business. It will take dedication to do research on the unfunded mandates sent by the State of Texas. I am committed to the time that must be spent applying for grants, searching for cost savings and, if elected, I will make myself available for appointments, for constituents and county department heads to voice their concerns as well as their visions.
Hearne — I will be a full-time commissioner, also fair, compassionate, unencumbered and independent. I shall defend the county coffers as if they were my own. I will not abstain or avoid any votes as your commissioner because of any conflict of interest. I have none. I will not tolerate any cronyism in county government. I’m always “first in and last out” for work or volunteer activities. Character, drive and desire to aid, assist through strong leadership and perseverance to overcome any and all problems, opposition, resistance or obstacles. You will receive full value for my salary when elected.
Kincaid — Yes, I will be a full-time commissioner. A commissioner’s job is nothing but a full-time job. Anyone running for this office should know that, and not plan on taking the job lightly. The hard working people of Scurry County deserve representatives that given them their full attention, and nothing less. If elected, my personnel cell number and email will be available to anyone in Precinct 2 that needs me, 24/7. I am in this to help the people of Precinct 2 full-time.
Merritt — Yes, I will be a full-time commissioner and a frugal commissioner who can save the taxpayers money without resorting to painful cutbacks. I have sold my cows and leased my land, commissioner of Precinct 2 will be my only job.
West — I will be a full-time commissioner. This past month, I have been in the process of selling our business. In fact our shop and yard just sold yesterday. Even though I will be a full-time commissioner, I have always pledged to give 10 percent of my net pay back to the county. Every time I write the check back to the county, it will remind me to always be looking and listening for ways to reduce spending with efficiency.
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Q. — What steps would you take to strengthen the relationship between the county and other governing bodies?
Cribbs — Relationships between the county and anyone else have to be grown and cultivated with a sharing of information and ideas. We will have to be open and forth giving to be able to expect the same in return from the other governing bodies of the county.
Dupree — Since the county has reverted back to the commissioner-managed road and bridge system, it has already began to improve. I will continue to work with the city public works director. He has been helpful with the downtown beautification project. I will continue to assist him to seal coat city streets, as well as with the interlocal agreement already in place. We must work with other taxing entities to better our community. I will be a uniter, not a divider.
Hearne — I would promote inclusive greater cooperation with the city of Snyder, schools, colleges, local groups and businesses will enhance opportunities. I believe positive team attitudes and cooperation always leads to better lifestyle and recreational choices with better value for taxpayers. Fiscal conservatism and a common sense reasonable attitude toward all spending must be adopted for future growth of Scurry County. We must plan for vital needs, not spend needlessly and promote only workable projects yielding maximum value to the whole community. Intentionally prioritizing and choosing options that promote spending locally, spurring local business growth, while still providing needed services.
Kincaid — Good relationships with other governing bodies start with good attitudes and the desire to help our city, county and state. I am excited that Scurry County is moving forward, and will be a better, stronger community with the alliance of other governing bodies.
Merritt — The same steps that I use to try to win this race. Nothing works better than to be the first to walk into other entities with your hand out and asking if there is anything that we might do to help with a problem, even if you can’t, at least they know you care.
West — A county commissioner’s main responsibilities are building and maintaining roads and bridges within the precinct, adopting the county’s budget and tax rate, approving purchases, filling job vacancies, setting salaries and benefits, authorizing contracts and providing and maintaining all county buildings and facilities. I will concentrate my energy on these things first. We already have agreements with the city and college on various projects. If a proposal is made that will benefit the county, I will support it.