Election Coverage 2018 County Commissioner Precinct 3

WV: If elected, what are your top priorities?

Hall: My first priority is a transparent and proactive government that includes citizens in the entire decision-making process and stops the tremendous unnecessary cost of our current only reactive Commissioners Court. Second, protecting our water resources and ensuring all people have adequate water. Third, criminal justice reform to establish equal justice for all and ending the waste of taxpayer dollars. Fourth, overhaul the Elections Office to prevent continuing problems, instill confidence, allow all to vote, and ensure all votes are counted.

WV: What are the biggest changes you think Hays County will face in the coming years and how would you address them?

Hall: The biggest changes are driven by population growth and all its related issues and effects including the environment/water, community building, and lack of inclusiveness. I will advocate that the County be proactive and planning for these changes in a measurable, thorough, innovative, and inclusive way. We need a County Government that is able to adapt to the changes and is prepared to avoid any negative effects while ensure public health, safety, and welfare to everyone.

WV: Spending and debt is a perennial issue at Commissioners Court meetings. What is your strategy concerning spending and debt at the county level?

Hall: I will advocate for zero-based budgeting to ensure that every dollar is justified and is associated the recognizable and measurable goal. We must have an efficient, effective, responsive, and transparent contracting process that does not simply provide benefits and funds to big-money interests simply to curry favor. Of course, I will not vote for increasing anyone’s salary beyond what is appropriate and never to buy loyalty. Also, I will decline any salary increase during this term for which I am running and will not seek higher office while a Commissioner. We need to examine all the current debt to determine if it can be restructured to save money and whether the promised dollars the State will actually materialize. Our investment in infrastructure must be to save lives and money in long run. We must have a long-range, innovative, and cost-effective transportation plan.

WV: Water is an issue for the entire county but with different concerns in each precinct. What would you do to help protect surface and groundwater in the Wimberley Valley while also dealing with the need for water for Hays County’s growing areas?

Hall: I advocate the “One Water” approach that uses water throughout the water cycle to use water efficiently and wisely: rainwater collection, reuse, etc. We need practical solutions to the EP fight in which those negatively affected are ensured their right to water. If EP would be pulling water from underneath its neighbors’ properties, then ensure the neighbors receive all the water that they need from that EP well first – IT IS THEIR WATER. One example is to include all affected properties in Goforth’s CCN thus requiring Goforth to supply water those around that well. While that idea may not be perfect in the longrun, we still need to be forward-thinking to ensure water for all and end fighting between neighbors. We must strengthen the conservation districts and advocate to end rule of capture as it exists because it allows a few people to control that necessity of life called “WATER.”

WV: The county and local municipalities have worked hard to add additional warning systems for flooding. Do you think enough has been done in the Wimberley Valley? What else would you propose to help deal with our local perennial floods?

Hall: I am pleased with the improvements made. Unfortunately, it was too late to save some lives. The 2013 flood on Cypress Creek should have caused these improvements to warming systems BEFORE the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. We need to continually test this system to ensure the persons to be warned actually receive it and know how to response. Also, we need to proactively address the root causes of flooding like development/ building on flood plains by bringing stakeholders together. We need to start a necessary and honest conversation and then implement solutions. The unnecessary loss of lives is completely unacceptable.