Below are the answers exactly as they were received from the candidates for Board of County Commissioner.  These questions were sent via email and answered the same way.  The candidate is identified above each.  The following was at the top of the questionnaire:

County residents directly employed by the building industry represent a significant portion of the population, when taking into consideration those residents employed by companies that also service and supply the building industry (such as surveyors, engineers, supply houses, etc).  As the voice of the home building industry in Washington County we would like to ask you, the candidates for the Board of County Commissioners, questions of particular interest to the members of our industry. 

We are aware that you have received numerous requests such as this, and given the short time between now and the election, and given the demands on your time we decided to limit our questions to 4, and to ask them via email to allow you to simply reply in the body of the email to save time, and eliminate your having to write out the answers.

We appreciate your taking the time to reply to our request so that we can reply to the numerous requests on your positions from our membership.

Please consider the following information:
The phrase, “rampant, uncontrolled growth” has been used repeatedly during the past several months, by both candidates and the media.  However over the months of June, July and August of this year, less than 100 building permits were issued by the County for single-family homes, and no new sub-divisions have received approval from the School Board through the mitigation process.  The County has also budgeted in its Capital Improvement Budget the receipt of  excise tax payments on 1000 single-family homes designated for school construction.  As stated in the September 26, 2006 Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting Summary, “Wivell also requested information regarding projected excise tax revenues due to the reduction in new housing starts.  As detailed by Debra Murray, Director of Budget & Finance, current excise tax revenue estimates for FY '07 are projected at a $5.8 million shortfall when compared to those amounts previously budgeted.  The excise tax shortfall for FY '06 is anticipated at $4.2 million.  FY '06 General Fund revenues are expected to cover the shortages in collection of the excise tax.”

KRISTIN ALESHIRE

Please consider the following information:

The phrase, "rampant, uncontrolled growth" has been used repeatedly during the past several months, by both candidates and the media. However over the months of June, July and August of this year, less than 100 building permits were issued by the County for single-family homes, and no new sub-divisions have received approval from the School Board through the mitigation process.
The County has also budgeted in its Capital Improvement Budget the receipt of excise tax payments on 1000 single-family homes designated for school construction. As stated in the September 26, 2006 Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Summary, "Wivell also requested information regarding projected excise tax revenues due to the reduction in new housing starts.
As detailed by Debra Murray, Director of Budget & Finance, current excise tax revenue estimates for FY '07 are projected at a $5.8 million shortfall when compared to those amounts previously budgeted. The excise tax shortfall for FY '06 is anticipated at $4.2 million. FY '06 General Fund revenues are expected to cover the shortages in collection of the excise tax."

Kristin Aleshire- Just a few comments on this paragraph. As a professional planner for nearly 7 years, and now working with a local engineering firm writing 20 year growth plans for various towns and counties in the region, I feel very confident in my ability to ensure we have a long range plan that moves development forward at a managed pace. I too an concerned about the building permit slow down, but I believe the 100 you refer to only refers to single family homes, and if I am not mistaken the 1000 number the County uses includes all types of new units as well as those permitted in the City of Hagerstown. Also, it is incorrect that the school board has not approved any new plans under mitigation as the Board of Ed has no authority to do so under APFO. They can only make a recommendation, and I am aware of at least
2 City projects totalling more than 100 units that have been approved in the last month. Further, all minor subdivisions are exempt from this process and therefore are not subject to mitigation. Just as the County may experience a shortfall, they are typically very conservative on budget estimates and have "banked" nearly 25 million in reserve funds over the past 5 years, experiencing a more than 10 million surplus last year alone. The excise tax is meant to gap fund times of increased development activity, and therefore if no homes are being built, no new schools are being required, so the issues appear to be seperate from general annual budget obligations already in place, as they should be.


1. If current market conditions continue, as economists
and banking officials contend, at least through 2007, (a) how do you intend to fund the Board of Education's budget requests, and (b) should the County be concerned that, if the trend continues, the number of new housing starts could be at a new low?

Kristin Aleshire- a)Again as noted above, and along my general philosophy of government spending, we must be as fiscally responsible in the good times as we are in lean times. This I believe prevents the government budget process from subjecting itself to the economic rollercoaster of the private corporate market tide. The Board of Ed requests are primarily for operations which, annual tax revenue should be adequate, and has proven more than adequate to cover through incremental assessment alone, while capital projects are a smaller part subject to the need due to development activity.
One issue I would note, is I am a firm believer in redevelopment, but given the number of schools sold away by the BOE in our urban centers over the years, this I think is a pressing issue that should be addressed. b) Yes the County should be concerned, just as the whole nation is, but not merely because the affect it has on the housing market. It should include consideration of how it will affect commercial and industry growth to our local economy, the public desire for additional amenities and cultural participation, as well as efforts to revitalize our towns and villages.


2. What incentives do you believe government should provide to
developers/builders to encourage the construction of housing in the median income range?

Kristin Aleshire- i was the only current candidate to submit extensive comments and questions to the Workforce Affordable Housing Committee Report.
If we are going to comission these groups to volunteer time to participate in these studies then we need to act on the appropriate recommendation, which is why I have pressed the City to implement nearly half of the 12 recommendations already, including assistance for our necessary service providers and those on limited income thresholds to both afford to purchase and rent new units. I believe in the intitiatives of our Hagerstown Home Store, and support efforts like our Hagerstown Neighborhood Parntership Development Corporation to rebuild median housing where APFO can be mitigated, and many public services already exist. I would urge the County to open the report and at a minimum debate the merits of the recommendations made.


3. Will you push for the Board of Education to present a
redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future?

I believe the BOE should be constantly trying to make the most efficient use of its available limited County funds. This includes ensuring that districts are aligned to both get the most out of our buildings as well as provide students with classrooms as non overcrowded as possible. One example where I would support redistricting includes a new development in the City off of Burhans Blvd, which we approved the mitigation proposal for, where students are within the one mile walking range of North High, but due to district lines would be bused to South High. That to me is a waste of public funds and an instance where the homes aren't built yet, and the district could and should be corrected. I think the best approach is to identify areas and the difficulties redistricting would create and approach them on different schedules rather than one plan for all areas trying to be shoved through all at once with clear apparent collective public opposition.


4. What is your position on Charter Home Rule?

Although my personal opinion is that some form of home rule is the natural progression that a County should move toward over time, I support the decision of the will of the people that will ultimately, and rightly so, make this decision through their vote. If this endeavor is successful, I would further support to the public that charter form of home rule is the most appropriate type of home rule for a local government. Regardless of the type of government, we need to ensure there is competent, responsible, sincere leadership at all levels.
 

JOHN BARR

Following is my responses to the questions from the Home Builders Association of Washington County:
 
1.  The next Board of County Commissioners has an awesome responsibility for amassing the funds needed and necessary to assist with school construction costs, including both new schools and maintaining the existing 49 buildings, all of which are in need of upgrades and repairs.  With the current anticipated cost of $30,000.00+ per elementary classroom seat and an estimated $50,000.00 to $60,000.00 for high school per capita seat, it is important to have an equal balance of commercial and industrial development fees along with residential assessments.  When the one entity is in a decline, very possibly the other could pick up the balance.  Also, due to the current needs and projected growth patterns, borrowing and approaching the delegation for bond money is most likely inevitable.
 
2.  As the need continues for additional housing, the scarcity of available lots, increased government assessments and fees, and the urbanization of Washington County is contributing to more difficulties surrounding affordable housing.  County government needs to make ever effort possible to hold the line on costs, such as permits and inspections, engineering certificates and requirements, and encourage construction density factors.  The City and County also need to encourage construction in abandoned, underdeveloped, and unused properties, which would encourage the use of less expensive real estate.
 
3.  The citizens and population of Washington County, along with the County Commissioners must encourage and support plans for redistricting.  I realize that this is very difficult, particularly for the parents of Junior and Senior High School students.  Unfortunately, it is an inevitable fact of life in a community that is growing and becoming more urbanized.  Many of our neighboring counties to the east have students relocating on an annual basis.  My desire would be to have a 3-5 year plan as a minimum for each redistricting scenario.
 
4.  Having the distinct pleasure and honor of working with eight other very articulate individuals selected by the County Commissioners since September of 2005, and after months of research, study, interviewing other municipalities and county governments, it was a unanimous decision to recommend to our Board of County Commissioners to proceed with developing a Charter Home Rule Task Force.  I am convinced a Charter Home Rule form of government for Washington County is in the best interest of good, efficient, and localized form of government.  My hope and concern is that this study group, which is composed of nine individuals who will dedicate and spend approximately 18 months into the research and development of this Charter, will not go abandoned or ignored, but will be approved by the voters in 2008.
 
Thank you for this opportunity to submit a response as requested.
 
Sincerely,
 
John F. Barr

DONNA BRIGHTMAN

In a message dated 10/10/2006 6:08:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, brightman@myactv.net writes:

 

1.                   If current market conditions continue, as economists and banking officials contend, at least through 2007, (a) how do you intend to fund the Board of Education’s budget requests, and (b) should the County be concerned that, if the trend continues, the number of new housing starts could be at a new low?

 After 4-5 years of a strong housing market, we have entered a readjustment period. Our housing supply is ahead of the demand, as a result of housing speculators dumping properties onto the market, and rising gas prices. Our proximity to D.C. and those government jobs, coupled with buyers adjusting to the cost of commuting, should stabilize the market by spring/summer of 2007. That said, no one knows for sure, so it is imperative to be flexible with the balance between construction of new homes, commercial and infrastructure.

2.         What incentives do you believe government should provide to developers/builders to encourage the construction of housing in the median income range?

The lack of affordable housing is the direct result of supply and demand and the generally lower wages paid in Washco. As we encourage economic development, we must concurrently make a greater investment in work force housing assistance to offset high land costs. I would explore the establishment of a work force housing funding trust which would draw state revenue sharing/grants and would, over time, become self sustaining. I would encourage joint effort with the state to promote " More House 4 Less" and "House Keys 4 Employees". Also we need to review our regulations regarding widths of houses in urban areas and other ordinances/codes which add cost to the construction process.

 

  1.     Will you push for the Board of Education to present a redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future?

 I serve on the Facility and Enrollment Advisory Committee, which advises the BOE on many of these issues, as well as redistricting. We are in the process of reviewing near term and long term school growth patterns with the objective of working with all the stakeholders to determine the best way to meet the school facility/enrollment pressures.

  1.     What is your position on Charter Home Rule?

 I was appointed by the State Delegation to serve on the Home Rule Task Force. We recommended Charter Home Rule and I support that recommendation. Charter sets up the method by which the citizens can decide the future of this county. Taxes, land use, local ordinances and government structure. The citizens also gain the right to bring issues to a referendum without going thru the Delegation.

HERBERT HARDIN

1.  If current market conditions continue, as economists and banking officials contend, at least through 2007, (a) how do you intend to fund the Board of Education’s budget requests, and (b) should the County be concerned that, if the trend continues, the number of new housing starts could be at a new low?

 I agree we had a plateau and then over the summer a drop in home sales.  There has been a significant stagnation of growth.  With a shortfall of $4.2 million in excise taxes on homes in ’06 and the projected $5.8 million ’07 shortfall the budgets have to be planned for now!  Even if ’06 is covered with General Fund revenues, ’07 will require much scrutinizing. 

(a) Budget requests will be further affected by less transfer tax incoming.  Senior and low-income homeowners will receive additional property tax benefits in ’07.  In fiscal ’07, county public schools will receive $111.6 million state money for operations and $4.5 million for construction.  These do not offset total budget cost!  Even older homes are not selling, unless evidently reduced in price. 

(b) With the state requiring at least as much (WCBOE) education funding each year as in the previous year, plus a percent is usually included, we have deep concerns.  Eighty-five percent of the WCBOE budget is for salaries and benefits. 

2.  What incentives do you believe government should provide to developers/builders to encourage the construction of  housing in the median income range?

            Housing is considered affordable if it doesn’t consume more than 35% of a household’s yearly income.  In Washington County the range is 50-120% of local median family income.

            Means of encouraging development of affordable housing would be tax credits, in-fill development, inclusionary zoning, moderately priced dwelling units, bonus density for work force housing, tiered tax rates, tax rebates, and “fair share” excise tax.  I prefer in-fill development, bonus density for work force housing, and inclusionary zoning.

3.  Will you push for the Board of Education to present a redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future

          The Washington County Board of Education usually takes the “lead” in redistricting plans.  As a former BOE member, I am aware that the consideration is reviewed sometimes as many as three or four times a year among the elected BOE members when attendance in schools fluctuates.

            I have reference information to substantiate the BOE’s dealing with school population increases.  A Facilities-Enrollment Advisory Committee has been established.  The committee has representatives from all county schools.  The committee has been meeting and received its charge on recommendations for any potential boundary alterations.  An exact date to report back to the WCBOE was not determined.

            The Washington County Commissioners meet monthly, and I am sure this issue has already been presented and discussed because of its importance to our total county success.

4.  What is your position on Charter Home Rule

            I support charter home rule if it is all inclusive of what is permissive and necessary when written by the Task Force.  Broad legislative power, general obligation debt and controls, and all legislation are subject to referendum upon petition of 2,000 county voters.  A charter permits enactment of local legislation relating to planning and zoning with specific restrictions that are not addressed and subject to state law.  New taxes, tax credits, and impact fees are subject to the General Assembly.

1.  If current market conditions continue, as economists and banking officials contend, at least through 2007, (a) how do you intend to fund the Board of Education’s budget requests, and (b) should the County be concerned that, if the trend continues, the number of new housing starts could be at a new low?

 I agree we had a plateau and then over the summer a drop in home sales.  There has been a significant stagnation of growth.  With a shortfall of $4.2 million in excise taxes on homes in ’06 and the projected $5.8 million ’07 shortfall the budgets have to be planned for now!  Even if ’06 is covered with General Fund revenues, ’07 will require much scrutinizing. 

(a) Budget requests will be further affected by less transfer tax incoming.  Senior and low-income homeowners will receive additional property tax benefits in ’07.  In fiscal ’07, county public schools will receive $111.6 million state money for operations and $4.5 million for construction.  These do not offset total budget cost!  Even older homes are not selling, unless evidently reduced in price.

(b) With the state requiring at least as much (WCBOE) education funding each year as in the previous year, plus a percent is usually included, we have deep concerns.  Eighty-five percent of the WCBOE budget is for salaries and benefits. 

2.  What incentives do you believe government should provide to developers/builders to encourage the construction of  housing in the median income range?

             Housing is considered affordable if it doesn’t consume more than 35% of a household’s yearly income.  In Washington County the range is 50-120% of local median family income.

            Means of encouraging development of affordable housing would be tax credits, in-fill development, inclusionary zoning, moderately priced dwelling units, bonus density for work force housing, tiered tax rates, tax rebates, and “fair share” excise tax.  I prefer in-fill development, bonus density for work force housing, and inclusionary zoning.

3.  Will you push for the Board of Education to present a redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future?

          The Washington County Board of Education usually takes the “lead” in redistricting plans.  As a former BOE member, I am aware that the consideration is reviewed sometimes as many as three or four times a year among the elected BOE members when attendance in schools fluctuates.

            I have reference information to substantiate the BOE’s dealing with school population increases.  A Facilities-Enrollment Advisory Committee has been established.  The committee has representatives from all county schools.  The committee has been meeting and received its charge on recommendations for any potential boundary alterations.  An exact date to report back to the WCBOE was not determined.

            The Washington County Commissioners meet monthly, and I am sure this issue has already been presented and discussed because of its importance to our total county success.

4.  What is your position on Charter Home Rule?

            I support charter home rule if it is all inclusive of what is permissive and necessary when written by the Task Force.  Broad legislative power, general obligation debt and controls, and all legislation are subject to referendum upon petition of 2,000 county voters.  A charter permits enactment of local legislation relating to planning and zoning with specific restrictions that are not addressed and subject to state law.  New taxes, tax credits, and impact fees are subject to the General Assembly.

JAMES KERCHEVAL

1.      If current market conditions continue, as economists and banking officials contend, at least through 2007, (a) how do you intend to fund the Board of Education’s budget requests, and (b) should the County be concerned that, if the trend continues, the number of new housing starts could be at a new low?

We certainly have to keep close tabs on the trends and projections for housing starts and factor that into our planning and funding models.  I have heard varying opinions on the housing market, and try to separate out those opinions on National or State models and those looking at our local area. 

I do believe the fiscal restraint exercised by this board, when we budgeted conservatively and didn’t include the excess amounts of recordation tax and other highly volatile revenue streams into the operational side of our budget, was clearly the right decision.  Having the surplus to help cover the shortfalls in excise tax revenues in ’06 and’07 will buy some time for the market to recover.  If we have to make adjustments in how we fund the BOE’s requests, we will look at all the options we normally do to fund those programs: pay-go funding, borrowing, fees, and taxes. 

We also may have to consider prioritizing our needs and adjusting our building schedule for capital projects (not specifically the schools, but any project in our current CIP) to make sure we can live within our budget.  I hope we won’t have to delay the openings of these three schools, as they are still needed to improve current overcrowding issues and will play a big part in the BOE’s current redistricting plans.  When the market returns to a faster growth rate, and we once again have a strong demand for housing, I hope we could have used this “down time” to catch up on the infrastructure needed to accommodate that growth.

 

2.      What incentives do you believe government should provide to developers/builders to encourage the construction of housing in the median income range?

That depends on the current market conditions and the supply of workforce and affordable housing in our community.  Often this issue gets confused with a citizen’s desire to still be able to buy a 2000 sq. ft home on a ½ acre lot for $175,000.  We all know that with the price of land and cost of building supplies, this is no longer a reasonable expectation in our County. Prices based on economic principles of supply vs. demand and rises in the cost of building supplies (from Katrina, oil prices, etc.) are difficult for local government to affect.  We all would love to see more housing in an affordable range, but when you are a healthy, thriving community with an outlook for a positive future, many people want to move into your area driving up the cost of living here.

 Our goal as a community should be to have a balance of housing in a variety of styles and price ranges to accommodate the workforce needs and other needs of our citizens.  We first need to try to quantify the various needs of the different segments in our County and compare that with the supply of housing we have on hand.  When we see deficiencies in a sector, we should offer incentives accordingly, to help alleviate those shortfalls.  Some possible incentives could include: bonus densities, reductions on excise taxes or fees, preferential treatment in the allocation of our limited resources such as sewer or school capacity (including consideration of APFO issues and mitigation offers), and fast tracking through the permit or planning process.

In addition to offering incentives to builders for affordable housing, we can also help address this problem by providing quality education needed by our citizens to compete in the job market, and by attracting high-paying jobs to our area to increase the median income range.

3.      Will you push for the Board of Education to present a redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future?

I have been working with the BOE to present their plan as quickly as possible and will continue to do so.  I have advocated that the redistricting committee examine current and planned development in the County when deciding how to allocate students throughout the existing and future schools to help alleviate congestion and provide space for future growth in hot areas (if possible).  This will certainly be a difficult task with all they have to consider.  However, I have suggested that they break the process up into three stages. 

In the first stage, establish the basic parameters to be considered for redistricting, such as: the balance of students (% of FARM students, etc.) at each school, how to handle neighborhoods or municipal boundaries, transportation issues or other boundaries to consider, etc.

In the second stage, review the current capacity at each school, current and planned developments, possible limiting factors (sewer), and the phasing schedules of these developments, to determine how many students to move from one school to the other.  Once completed, have the elected BOE vote on that determination as the requirements for redrawing the new school district boundaries.  This would create enough of a redistricting plan for the BOCC and Planning Commission to use to evaluate School APFO issues and mitigation offers for new developments.  It would also help the building community better plan for future development.

In the final stage, have the task force use the new GIS redistricting software currently under development and other tools to draw the actual redistricting lines based on the previously adopted policies in the first two stages.  I believe this task will take the most time and is typically the most controversial.  However, I believe that by establishing the redistricting parameters and adopting the number of students you plan to redistrict in each school prior to drawing the actual lines, you will lesson the controversy and speed up the redistricting process.

4.      What is your position on Charter Home Rule?

After much study, I support efforts to bring Charter Home Rule to Washington County.  Contrary to what’s often misstated, with Charter Govt, we still have the checks and balances between the State and County Government (specifically on taxes and bonding authority), but local officials will now be able to make more decisions on local issues without going through the partisan bureaucracy in Annapolis. It will also give our Delegation more time to deal with major issues addressing the State.  Under the current system it could take over a year to get the authority to make a simple change in a local ordinance.  Growing counties we need the ability to react quickly when local issues arise, and Charter Govt will allow us to do that. 

That being said, this Board recently appointed the independent Charter Board members to begin developing the charter for the County.  I am optimistic that this balanced group of citizens will be able to formulate a charter that will be good for the County.  While I support the effort to bring Home Rule To Washington County, I cannot say, at this time, I support the actual charter, as it hasn’t been developed yet.  Once I have time to review what’s proposed, I’ll make my decision, just like all of the citizens, at the ballot box in two years.

 

PAUL SWARTZ

1.  I am the education promoter of the county commissioner candidates. I think I have a better awareness of the educational needs of this county than any of the other candidates and the value of education to the community in total. Education is the key to our future and it effects every aspect of the community(growth, jobs, and the safety of our citizens). If we want industries and high tech companies to locate in Washington County, then it is our duty to place a high premium on education. I have offered a plan that will not only effect our county educationally , but will also effect our growth and housing market.
 
Free college tuition at HCC for all graduating students from Washington  County for two years. If I can convince the other commissioners of this plan, our county will grow and prosper. We will need, in the future, partners to continue to fund this plan. But for now and also in the future we can fund this plan from the interest of our reserve fund of 30 million dollars.
 
We will continue to fund education locally and hopefully through my plan the housing market will continue to grow as well in a positive direction. I am a positive and visionary thinker and planner.
 
 
2.  Incentives are necessary and a valuable tool in securing desired businesses as well as in residential development. Developers and builders are ready to work with government , it is past time that government work with developers/builders to provide housing that can be afforded by the wide range of our population. I have defined affordable housing as housing that can be purchased by the potential home buyer using no more than 35% of their monthly budget. If the mortgage payments exceed 35% of their budget then it is not affordable housing for that home buyer. For families that want to secure "the american dream" of home ownership , it is imperative that government work hand in hand with the developer/builder to provide whatever incentives necessary to make this happen.
 
3.  I have always advocated ,even when I was employed by the Board of Education, for a continued and consistent redistricting plan. I realize it is not a popular decision, but it is necessary and the most economical tool for over population of our schools. If this request continues to fall on deaf ears then the other options become burdens to the taxpayers of Washington County and extremely costly. Yes I will continue to press for a redistricting plan.
 
4.  I support the process that has been established for bringing Charter Home Rule to Washington County and I am a supporter of bringing the final written document to referendum for the voters. I, along with the voters, would like to view the finalized plan before I totally commit. It is imperative that the charter is written in the best interest of our county. It is also imperative that the voters select now and in the future commissioners that are educated and have no special interests in mind to intelligently make sound decisions. Because if commissioners are not prepared in an intellectual manner unsound decisions could effect our county in a negative direction.  Be careful what you ask for-you just might get something entirely different

 

WILLIAM WIVELL

1.       If current market conditions continue, as economists and banking officials contend, at least through 2007, (a) how do you intend to fund the Board of Education’s budget requests, and (b) should the County be concerned that, if the trend continues, the number of new housing starts could be at a new low?

Well, the other question that I asked at that same meeting was whether the County needed to fund all of the projects in light of the reduction in the number of housing starts.  The first consideration would need to be given to a determination as to whether all of the projects need to proceed.   If it decided that all of the projects must move forward, then the County could consider several funding sources. The first option, which has already been recommended by the Director of Budget & Finance, is the use of budget surpluses.  These surpluses, however, may not always be available.  An additional source of funding to be considered is at the State level.  The County has been advised that State funding for the current fiscal year has actually declined from the level of the prior year.  This is unacceptable, especially at a time when project funding requirements have increased.  Another source of potential funding is to consider and approve mitigation plans that reasonably offer solutions to the current capacity issue.  I am also a strong believer that fiscal responsibility and, especially, control over unnecessary spending (both at the County and Board of Education level) would allow for additional funds to be channeled to capital projects.  The County may also need to consider either a postponement or cancellation of other capital projects.

2.       What incentives do you believe government should provide to developers/builders to encourage the construction of housing in the median income range?

                My position has always been to adopt local tax policy which encourages and respects home ownership.  This is best done by keeping property and income taxes at their lowest levels necessary to achieve the basic functions of government – to provide for the basic infrastructure needs, and for the public health, safety, and education of residents.

If the local governing body should consider a waiver of taxes/fees for one class of resident, then taxes/fees would need to be increased for another class of customer (unless expenses are reduced, and we have all seen what the track record has been here).  My experience with these types of programs is that the middle class is most adversely affected by such subsidies.  I would be willing to entertain ideas on waiving regulatory requirements, in general.  Although I generally despise government mandates, I would also consider a program that requires developers/developments of a certain size to offer a certain percentage of lots in that subdivision to the general construction industry at fair market value in order to keep the industry competitive among builders/developers.

3.        Will you push for the Board of Education to present a redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future?

The Board of Education should always be looking at redistricting as an option where excess capacity exists in one district, yet over capacity in another district.  Yes, I would “encourage” the BOE to do so if such a situation exists.

4.        What is your position on Charter Home Rule?

My position depends on the language in the Charter itself.  I have always enjoyed the checks and balances provided by the Legislature.  I could support a Charter document containing language transferring this checks and balance feature from the Legislature to the residents and not to the Board of County Commissioners.  I would support a Charter which includes language that gives citizens the right to referendum of tax, spending, and other limiting authorities within the Charter document.