A Republican Candidates Forum, organized by the Brown County Republican Party, took place Thursday evening at Victory Life Church. The event featured introductory and closing comments, along with question-and-answer sessions, with candidates for Brown County County Commissioner in Precincts 1 and 3, and Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1.
The following are the excerpts from the questions answered by the candidates for County Commissioner in Precinct 1 – incumbent Gary Worley and Kirk Chastain.
Kirk Chastain
What do you think differentiates you from your opponent?
My opponent has been in office for 12 years. We hear a lot about term limits, I’m all about term limits but I don’t know what that would be. But I will bring a business acumen to the court, I will bring common sense to the court. I will look into matters instead of just voting what I think would be good. I’m going to make sure it’s good for the county, and make sure the county isn’t going to be responsible for a bill that they shouldn’t. Prudent spending in the budget is key. If I invest, I expect a return on my investment. I think the county needs a return on their investment. My opponent has talked about the tax rate and the appraisal district sends the county the no new tax rate on all evaluations. All the county court has to do is accept that new tax rate and your taxes don’t go up. But they haven’t accepted that tax rate, they keep taking the rate going up, that’s why your taxes go up. It could stay the same if they accepted the no new tax rate.
What’s your definition of a full-time commissioner?
Full-time position means you’re available 24 hours a day. I’m not privy to all the ins and outs of county roads, the roads crew and all of that, but I will be available 24 hours a day. Everyone will have my cell number, it’s not hidden, it’s public knowledge if you want to get a hold of me. I will be a full-time commissioner, I am retiring from the school business this May. And I have somebody who helps me work on real estate so that’s not a concern, so yes I will be a full-time commissioner.
What are your thoughts on the $20 million bond election for the YMCA?
I thought Tony Aaron did a good job presenting his proposal to the county. That’s a sticky subject. One of the commissioners asked what would happen after five years when funding runs out and how will you get subsidized after that. I would say to that, hopefully they’re profitable and they can take care of their own, but I think putting it to the voters is a good thing. The voters need to decide do we need a YMCA? Do we want our county taxes to go up? It won’t affect your school taxes, it will affect your county taxes. I don’t know what the numbers are, somewhere around $45 per year, but for people like me who own several real estate properties, that’s a big chunk of change.
What are your thoughts on allegations of mistakes made in the county budgeting process, specifically raises to elected county officials.
Not being privy to all the budget processes and all that, what I’ve read and heard is they didn’t get their notice in in a timely manner, they were a few days short. As a commissioner, if elected, I promise you it won’t take me 12 years to figure out how long that is. I’ll look it up, I’m not going to be assured by somebody. I’ve been in positions when people have told me, hey this is the way it is, and I asked are you sure and then that’s not the way it is. I will do due diligence, I will look over things and make sure everything is correct. We have a capable county attorney and if I have any questions I’m sure I can ask her. If I don’t know an answer to a question, I’m smart enough that I know who to go ask and I can find out.
Kirk Chastain’s Bio Page on Brownwoodnews.com
Gary Worley
What do you think differentiates you from your opponent?
I really don’t know. We’re two guys that are probably have the same thought, convictions, we want what’s best for Brown County in Precinct 1. Whenever somethings comes up, that’s what way I look at it, what’s good for Brown County. If it’s good for Brown County and it’s good for Precinct 1, I will vote for it. I’ll give you an example. We had a solar industry come to us several years ago with a proposal and wanted a county tax abatement. I never would commit to one side of the other until it came to the vote. I looked at it from both sides. The offer they proposed was one-tenth of 1 percent of the $300 million project they were proposing is what they wanted to pay in taxes. I didn’t like that, I thought that was too little. We voted against it and they put the project in in spite of not receiving a county tax abatement. That’s what I’m here for, what’s best for Brown County. And I’ve proven it.
What’s your definition of a full-time commissioner?
I am a full-time commissioner because I don’t have any other outside interests. When I won the position 12 years ago, I was working at 3M, finishing up my 37-year career. I got swore in as County Commissioner of Brown County Precinct 1. I have no other outside interests. To me, that’s what the difference is between a full-time and a part-time.
What are your thoughts on the $20 million bond election for the YMCA?
Personally I didn’t really like the idea, but there were enough people that wanted to not necessarily see it done, but see it put to the voters. The increase to the county voters as I understand it would be 4.12 cents on a $100 evaluation. That’s not a lot, but it’s more than I would feel comfortable with than just outright saying yes, we need to do it. The commissioners decided to put it on a county referendum, let the voters decide if they were willing to pay that extra 4.12 cents. If they are, that’s good, if they’re not, that’s fine. Again, it’s up to the tax payers and the voters of Brown County to decide if they want. It’s important enough to let the voters decide.
What are your thoughts on allegations of mistakes made in the county budgeting process, specifically raises to elected county officials.
During the budget process, the commissioners court decided on raises for the county. We decided during those budget processes, the workshops, that a 6 percent raise across the board for all county employees, not just elected officials, be in the budget. During that time, the same process, the commissioners were assured by County Judge Shane Britton that all of the notices were being filed, they were on time, and there was no worry about it. We were assured this on several different occasions, not just one. Then when it comes out that the elected officials notice to each one of us didn’t get out, we were kind of upset about it. We had waiver drawn up. First you have to understand that the notice goes to each elected official is to give them notice that they can file a salary grievance with the grievance committee. We signed an affidavit that we wouldn’t file that grievance and we were OK with that raise. That’s my position.