Tax Fairness for District 5
A better path begins with treating every taxpayer fairly.
Property owners deserve a tax system that is fair, transparent, and consistently applied. Recent property reassessments have resulted in some homeowners paying more while others pay less. Regardless of outcome every property owner deserves confidence that the appraisal and appeals processes are accurate, unbiased, and easy to understand.
Property owners who invest in maintaining and improving their homes deserve peace of mind that every property is being assessed fairly and consistently.
Fairness doesn’t end with how taxes are collected, it also includes how county services are provided:
I will work to ensure Disstrict 5 receives fair consideration when county resources are allocated. Whether is is road maintenance, public safety, infrastructure improvements, or other county services, every district deserves to be represented fairly, and every taxpayer deserves to know their tax dollars are working for their community. That is the path to a stronger Meigs County.
Economic Growth
Putting Meigs County on a better path begins with buiding a stronger economy.
Recruiting manufacturing jobs should remain a priority, however we also need to recognize the challenges we face and pursue opportunities that can generate results sonner while building on the strengths Meigs County already has.
Low population density: According to the most recent census data, popluation density of Meigs county is approximately 60 residents per square mile, while surrounding counties average 140 to 160 or more. With only about 14,000 residents, only about 4,750 are currently in the labor force, and 4,500 of them are already employed..
Large manufacturers look for areas where they can recruit hundreds or even thousands of employees within a relatively short (30 minutes or less) commute. Using Decatur as the likely location for a new industry to come into our county and a 30 minute commute, the available pool of employees increases to a couple thousand, but there is a catch. Most of those employees would be commuting in, so the positive impact from our efforts would mostly benefit counties other than Meigs.
While we should still work toward recruiting a large industry, a better path is to build on one of Meigs County’s greatest assets, our lakes and shoreline. Meigs county has roughly 250 to 300 miles of shoreline along Watts Bar and Chickamauga, two of TVA’s premier lakes. By comparison Rhea and Roane counties have 200 miles of shoreline or less each, but both counties are leveraging that connection to outdoor activities in a much more meaningful way. By Comparison:
- Roane County: $74.6 million in annual tourism spend, generating $3.4 million in local taxes.
- Rhea County: $41.6 million in annual tourism spend, generating $1.8 million in local taxes.
Even though Meigs County has the same basic attraction as our neighboring counties, in Watts Bar and Chickamauga Lakes, we are only generating $11.8 million in tourism revenue, creating less than 1/3 the tax revenue of our neighboring counties.
To look at it from another persepctive, revenue generated per mile of shorline:
- Roane County: ~ $375,000
- Rhea County: ~ $208,000
- Meigs County: Less than $50,000
Meigs is generating less than $50,000 per mile of shoreline.
Over the next four years i want to work with our communities,local business, and tourism partners to increase revenue, expand our tax base, and create new opportunities for local businesses, while preserving the natural beauty that makes Meigs County such a special place to live.
Thats a better path to a stronger Meigs County.
Safer Communities
We are very fortunate to live in a community where we feel safe raising our families. We know our neighbors. Our children can grow up enjoying the outdoors, our lakes, and our communities. We can confidently invite friends and family to visit us and enjoy the same activities.
My goal isn’t to solve a crime crisis – it’s to make sure we never have one.
Like many rural communities, Meigs County continues to face challenges from drug activity and theft, as well as scams that target our seniors. My goal is to address these concerns before they become larger problems..
Recently, my family experienced firsthand how important dependable emergency services are. Although every person we worked with was professional and compassionate, our experience highlighted the importance of having reliable backup plans whenever emergency resources are stretched thin.
I will support planning that ensures our county alwyas has dependable emergency coverage and contingency plans when unexpected situations arise.
Protecting our families, supporting first repsonders, preventing crime, and preparing for emergencies is a better path toward a stronger Meigs County.
Transparent Government
A better path begins with open government.
As your county commissioner, I believe you deserve to know what is happening in county government – not just at election time, but throughout the year.
I am committed to holding regular meetings in District 5, where residents can hear updates, ask questions, share concerns, and offer ideas. These will be open discussions focused on the issues that matter to our comminuty.
I will work to ensure county decisions are commnunicated clearly, taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, and your voice is heard.
Transparent government means being accessible, accounable, and willing to listen. Together we can build a stronger Meigs County through honest communication and citizen involvement.
Leadership
Leadership to put Meigs County on a better path.
Putting Meigs County on a better path requires leadership that listens, builds trust, and puts the interest of our cumminuty ahead of politics or personal agendas.
Throughout my life, I have learned the best solutions come from bringing people together, asking the right questions, and making decisions based on facts rather than emotion. those same principals will guide me as your County Commissioner.
I believe every taxpayer deserves a voice in a representative who is accessible, prepared, and accountable. Someone who listens to different perspectives, communicates openly, and works respectfully with others to solve problems.
Every decision i make will be guided by one simple question:
Is this the best decision for the people of Meigs County?
By leading with integrity, transparency, and accountability, we can put Meigs County on a better path and build a stronger Meigs County for the future.