The current county council has failed to effectively manage our taxes, revenues, and overall budget. Over the past six years, several serious financial issues have emerged. The tax rate (millage) was set below what was necessary to support the approved budget. At the same time, expenditures exceeded budgeted amounts and were not properly recorded. Multiple transfers between accounts were made without adequate transparency, and county cash reserves were steadily depleted without the council’s awareness.

These failures ultimately resulted in a $22 million deficit and a corresponding reduction in county reserves. While council members have stated they were unaware of these issues, one of their primary responsibilities is to approve and oversee the county’s budget and tax structure.

Additionally, the council approved a $25 million bond for Phase II of the “Sewer South” project without a voter referendum. This decision was made without comprehensive studies to determine the true cost or return on investment. After accounting for all expenses, grants, and other funding sources, the project’s actual cost was approximately $3.4 million. To date, the county has already paid that amount in interest alone. The total repayment obligation for this bond is approximately $40 million—debt that will ultimately fall on future generations.

Our county urgently needs greater financial transparency. Currently, there is not even a basic cash balance sheet readily available to the public. The council bears responsibility for failing to require consistent, periodic financial reporting in recent years.

As a member of council, I will insist on clear, regular financial reporting and will not support any financial decisions without complete and accurate documentation. Our taxes and county budget are too important to be handled without full accountability and informed decision-making.

The current council has implemented countywide residential zoning; however, much of the county remains within no-zone exemptions. I believe we can do better to manage growth in a way that protects both our community and our infrastructure.

I support implementing impact fees to help offset the strain that new development places on public resources. These fees would be collected from developers and used to fund necessary improvements to roads, water systems, sewer capacity, and schools.

In addition, I believe developers should play a role in addressing housing needs by including affordable housing options within their projects. Thoughtful planning today will help ensure Oconee County remains a strong, balanced, and accessible community for future generations.

Over the past two years, the current council has approved measures with unanimous 5–0 votes, often without meaningful public discussion. I believe residents deserve greater openness and accountability in their local government. I will advocate for policies that require thorough public discussion of issues before any vote is taken, ensuring decisions are made transparently and with full consideration of community input.

The current council voted to effectively dissolve the conservation bank board by returning all funds previously provided by Duke Energy. I believe this was a step in the wrong direction. I will advocate for incorporating strong conservation practices into future development and work to restore, continue, and expand the conservation board to better protect our natural resources for generations to come.