Here’s an example:  The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) authorized $6.5 million to purchase the La Quinta Motel at 95th and I-35 for a homeless shelter.

I did not support this for several reasons:

1. Ever watch the movie, The Money Pit?  This worn out La Quinta motel is 40 years old, with millions in deferred maintenance is just waiting to be paid for by you, the taxpayer.

2. The project was brought forth by the county’s staff, and they said that the only money the county would put in would be to purchase the building and then it would be handed off to a non-profit to rehabilitate and manage. Well, we have already ballooned our budget to incorporate six additional full time employees for outreach to the homeless community.

My comments for not supporting a homeless shelter at 95th and I-35 were:

• • First do no harm, and this will harm the surrounding businesses and residential areas.

• • The homeless issue is exacerbated by our open border and when I suggested we add the border issue to our federal platform, I lost 6-1. Reality seems to never bother the political class.

• • The homeless’ needs cannot be addressed by government. These folks need long term commitments of families, individuals and the faith community to walk beside them on a long-term basis.  They will not benefit long-term from a program that allows you to stay for 60 days and you’re out. And, by the way, this program is currently envisioned to serve 50 men. That’s right, men only.
  • This is just one of the multitude of projects bloating our county budget and raising your taxes.

Here’s another example: Tax incentives is another HUGE issue.  On June 1, 2023, the BOCC gave Cnano Technology USA a $34 million Industrial Revenue Bond which reduces their property taxes to 30 cents per square foot. In addition, Cnano will pay no sales tax on materials, fixtures and equipment on this 333,000 square foot facility. On a 2,000 square foot house, at this same rate, your property taxes would be a mere $600 per year!  What a sweet deal for the big boys!!!  Cnano is a Chinese company with direct ties to the Chinese government….nothing to see here?  They pay pennies on the dollar for their property taxes, while you continue to be savaged by ever rising property taxes.