Patrick H. "Pat" McLaughlin III

I’m Pat McLaughlin III and I am running for County Commissioner Pct. 3

My wife Vicki and I were married 36 years ago at Early First Baptist Church, and we have 4 great Kids, Ashley, Patrick, Cameron, and Alex

Ashley is married to her High School sweetheart, State Trooper Zack Lundy, they have 2 great kids, Mason & Remmy – My Grand Kids. Alex is a Junior at Brownwood High School.

Education:

Graduated from Liberty Eylau High, Texarkana TX. In 1979
Texarkana Community College
East Texas State University
McLennan Community College
TSTC
University of Texas, Austin

Clubs and organizations:

Brownwood Jaycees
Texas Jaycees
Elks Lodge
Brownwood Lions Club
Texas JCI Senate

My background is mainly in administration.

I was Licensed as an Administrator by the State of Texas in 1981
I have managed and owned several businesses in Brown County.
Currently I work under the County Judge as Director of Governmental Affairs since 2021

I was raised in a construction family; my father owned his own construction company.

I worked for Cajun Contractors & Engineers as their Field Project Manager while building the new water treatment plant up on Round Mountain.
I went to work for Waldrop Construction drawing blueprints and estimating jobs.
After building the BCI building I managed the construction of tenant spaces.

I Have Served on the board of different organizations where Roberts Rules of Order is the foundation of operation such as it is with the Commissioners Court.

My point is that the job of County Commissioner requires expertise in administration with some construction knowledge to help work with the County crews and deal with County properties.

I have worked with FEMA on various grants and have a great relationship with the Texas Division of Emergency Management as well.
I have been recognized by FEMA & Texas A&M Engineering for having completed ICS 100, 200, 300 & 400 for Basic Command Systems and Advanced Incident Command Systems for Complex Incidents training.
The Brown County Veterans Administration is in dire need of replacing its outdated and worn-out vans for transporting veterans to and from much-needed medical attention in Temple TX. After applying for and receiving funding, the Commissioners Court voted to let me spend the funds for a new 12-passenger from Bruner Chevrolet in Early TX.
Currently, a FEMA grant I have been working on for two years has been approved for the installation of an early warning siren system for Brown County Unincorporated. Blanket, Zephyr, May, Indian Creek, Brookesmith, and Winchel
Recently Brown County Sheriff’s Department received bullet-resistant shields through a grant I applied for through the Governor’s office.
I was also the point man for bringing active shooter training through the ALERRT academy to be taught at Blanket High School and Zephyr High School, free of charge, to all local law enforcement. Sheriffs Department, all local police Departments, and Texas Highway Patrol Officers.

The major duties of the commissioner’s court involve overseeing the budgetary and policy-making functions of county government and County roads. As County Commissioner my job would extend past Yes, No, or Wait Awhile. Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty and figure out how to make things work for the betterment of those you represent.

Recently I was endorsed by past State Rep. Jim Murphy, Chair of the House GOP Caucus in my bid for Brown County Commissioner, Pct. 3. This is greatly appreciated, and I value Rep. Murphy’s friendship.

I am running because:

There is no better satisfaction than knowing that the work you do makes a positive impact on others in your community.
I ran for County Commissioner back in 2016 and came in second with over 25% of the vote in a three-way race. Many local citizens encouraged me to throw my hat in the ring and give it another go, and I agreed.
There is a lot of need in our County. I believe I can provide positive and fair leadership.

Proposed changes:

It’s easy to throw rocks from the sidelines while not offering any solutions. But that’s not my way.
I have heard the statement “Well, that’s the way we’ve always done it” way too often. So what, let’s do it the right way.
I will never vote to give tax abatements to companies that do not bring a substantial number of permanent jobs to Brown County. No matter how this affects the land I own or that of my donors. For example, energy companies, windmills, and solar.
Year after year Brown County has reduced the tax rate charged against your property taxes. I see no reason to change this trend.
The County Commissioners Court needs to modernize with large TV monitors so all can see documents, maps, financial reports, and proposals being presented.
Brown County Purchasing Policies are out of date and do not protect Brown County when dealing with FEMA grants. I have already prepared an acceptable purchasing policy approved by the Texas Division of Emergency Management to replace the current policy.

I am Pat McLaughlin, and I am asking for your vote from February 20^th through March 5^th for Brown County Commissioner, Pct.3.

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BrownwoodNews.com sent five questions via email to all of the candidates running for office in Brown County during the March 2024 Republican Primary. The following are the answers submitted by Pat McLaughlin:

How long have you been a part of the Brown County community? – To what extent have you been a part of local government?

Pat McLaughlin moved to Brown County in 1981 to help manage and administrate a local nursing home. This was where he met his wife, Vicki Medlock, and together they have raised four children – Ashley, Patrick, Cameron, and Alex. Ashley graduated from Howard Payne University and married her high school sweetheart, Zack Lundy, who serves as a Texas State Trooper. They have also raised two children, Mason and Remi. Pat and Vicki’s son Alex is currently a junior at Brownwood High School. McLaughlin has served in leadership for many non-profit organizations that use Roberts Rules of Order like that of the Brown County Commissioners Court. He has additionally been employed at the Brown County Courthouse since 2021 under the supervision of the Brown County Judge. McLaughlin stated that his position is the Brown County Director of Governmental Affairs. He has developed a positive relationship with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and FEMA, where he submits grant applications to the TDEM, FEMA, the Governor’s office, etc. “I am tasked to manage these grants from beginning till completion,” said McLaughlin. Regarding his management and construction background, McLaughlin has overseen work conducted on buildings within Brown County and has been recognized by FEMA and Texas A&M Engineering for completing ICS 100, 200, 300, and 400 Basic Command Systems through Advanced Incident Command Systems for Complex Incidents training.

What is your vision for the future of Brown County? – What changes would you advocate for and why?

McLaughlin contends that there are few areas were change in Brown County is needed. First, he believes that every occupied office ought to be willing to change with the times. “When FEMA or the government changes the rules, we need to identify how to implement those changes to make things work smoothly. We can’t just say “Well, that’s the way we’ve always done it”. Let’s do it the right way the first time,” said McLaughlin. He also stated, “I will never vote to give tax abatements to companies that do not bring a substantial number of permanent jobs to Brown County, no matter how this affects the land I own or that of my donors.” An additional point of change that McLaughlin believes necessary for Brown County is that the County Commissioners Court needs to modernize with large TV monitors in order to see documents, maps, financial reports, and proposals that are being presented more clearly. “Allow not only the Commissioners to see the documents as presented, but the audience as well,” he said. A last point of change the McLaughlin advocates for is the renewal of Brown County Purchasing Policies. According to McLaughlin, they “do not protect Brown County when dealing with FEMA grants.” He has already prepared a purchasing policy approved by the TDEM to replace the current policy.

Regarding your prospective position, what do you consider your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

McLaughlin believes his greatest strength is that he hopes to hear all sides of an issue in order to make the most informed decision with the presented facts; not just listen to the loudest opinion or those of his colleagues.

What do you consider the biggest challenge of the position you are running for? – What areas need improvement and why?

The biggest challenge that faces McLaughlin is the fact that five good people are running for the same job. “Often you only have three minutes to explain why I am more qualified and can do better at the job,” said McLaughlin. “I do feel that with my professional and non-profit experience, I am most qualified to hit the ground running.”

What has been your greatest accomplishment in your career? – In your personal life?

In terms of his career, McLaughlin believes his greatest accomplishments to be obtaining his license and working as a licensed Administrator by the State of Texas in 1981, successfully executing his duties as a Field Project Manager for Cajun Contractors and Engineers, owning & operating several businesses in Brown County (most of all BCI Computers), managing the Riverside Comfort Inn Hotel and the Quality Inn Convention Center in Abilene, serving as President of the Brownwood Jaycee’s (leading chapter to #1 in the world0, and serving as President of the Texas JCI Senate (leading Texas to #1 in the United States). Regarding his personal life, McLaughlin believes his greatest accomplishments have been to marry into a God-loving family and make Vicki Medlock his wife, working alongside Vicki to raise their four kids, and to have chosen to plant roots in Brown County.