Candidate, Magistrate District 3, Warren County Fiscal Court
Question: Magistrates have come under fire in the past few years for the perception of a conflict of interest. How could the county avoid this? What would you personally do to avoid this?
Answer: No elected official should ever be involved in a vote or policy-making decision in which they have a personal, family or financial interest. Personal financial holdings of elected officials should be a matter of public information. If ever faced with making a decision involving anything where I might have an actual or perceived conflict-of-interest, I would address any misperception and certainly recuse myself if such a decision involves anything where I would benefit personally or financially.
Question: Infrastructure is not built in a day, what should be the response of the Fiscal Court to growth approved by the Zoning Board that exceeds the infrastructure frame-work of the City / County planning commission’s Focus 2030 plan?
Answer: Planning and Zoning members are expected to consider the impact on infrastructure when making decisions. Careful consideration must be given to the impact of all zoning decisions. I recognize however, that the Focus 2030 Plan is just that – a plan, and it must continually be monitored for its relevance considering changes that might have occurred or which weren’t considered when the original plan was adopted. It should be considered a “living document” and evolve per the unexpected changes that are currently impacting our community. Many years spent in business have taught me that all long-term plans must be flexible in order to meet current needs but changes need to work for the benefit of all involved.
Question: Our total taxation (including real estate taxes) is significantly higher than other regional communities similar to our size. Do you feel that they are appropriate? Please explain.
Answer: I believe that we should always work to keep taxes as low as possible and I personally am a believer in “living within your means” – with that said, I do know however that both Bowling Green and Warren County citizens have actually voted-in some additional taxation compared to other cities and counties in order to support amenities considered important to the “quality of life” in our community (parks, libraries, schools, etc.). Tax increases in our community have not occurred for many years other than those imposed by our two school systems which are authorized by the state and uncontrolled (only collected by) the city and county.
Question: Have you read the job description and responsibilities for magistrate? What skills and background do you bring to the position? How do your experiences differentiate you?
Answer: I am well aware of the duties and responsibilities of being a Magistrate and member of Warren Fiscal Court. I am a retired businessman having successfully managed several businesses during my working career of over forty years. I’ve prepared operating budgets from scratch and managed the businesses to adhere to those budgets. I plan to treat the business of Warren Fiscal Court in exactly the same posture. I also served the citizens of Bowling Green as a member of the Board of Commissioners for three terms during which we were able to hold property taxes at the same level and reduce our community’s debt by millions of dollars while establishing and maintaining a “rainy day fund” to be able to deal with any potential financial disaster (this elevated the ratings on any bonds held or issued by the city and allowed for the refinancing of current bonds and the elimination of debt).
Brief Biography: Rick Williams
- Candidate, Magistrate District 3, Warren County Fiscal Court
- 67 years old
- Married to Deborah for 47 years (Executive Director of H.A.N.D.S., Inc.)
- Two daughters: Casey Rouse (husband Matt); Kristen Gregory (husband Taylor)
- 3 Grandsons: Hunter Rouse, Easton Rouse and Jackson Gregory
- Parents: Cletus & Frances Williams
- 60+ year resident of Bowling Green, KY
- Occupation: Retired. Over 45 years of business management experience.
- Education: Bowling Green Public Schools & Western Kentucky University
- Community Service: Current Secretary and board member, BG Noon Rotary Club; Past President, BG/WC Jaycees; Past Board President, Big Brothers & Sisters of Southern KY; former board member, BG Area Chamber of Commerce, Operation PRIDE, WKU Research Foundation, SOKY Fair; graduate of Leadership Bowling Green and BGPD Citizens’ Police Academy, former board member and Chairman of Friends of L&N Depot, former member of the BGMU board. Served three terms as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Bowling Green, KY
- Other: Deacon and church treasurer at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Bowling Green, KY
Question: Thank you for joining our forum. Would you please share with our group 1-2 specific issues you would like to address as a magistrate on the fiscal court?
Answer: I’d like to be more of a working magistrate than what we’ve had in the past. I’m not a believer in politics as a profession – rather I believe it to be more of a public servant position. I’m also a big proponent of open and regular communication. I’m sure that I can bring an improvement in that area.
Question: What level of cooperation do you place on the relationship between Magistrates and Executive judge? Why is it important to have a good working relationship or not?
Answer: I think it’s important to try to work together as much as possible, but it’s important to me that we try to run Warren County as a business and not a political arena.
Question: Do you think the County Magistrates and City Commissioners should spend more time working together on joint/similar issues? If so, what issues would you like jointly brought to the table?
Answer: I think there may be some issues that there could be some collaboration on. I’d like to eventually see if there are opportunities to save any money by working together on some duplicated items.
Question: Do you have any ideas you can share with regard to specific actions or projects you’d like to undertake to ensure County infrastructure is prepared for the foreseeable consequences of zoning decisions?
Answer: P&Z MUST make the effort to assure that new developments are adequately vetted by all who are responsible for the necessary infrastructure to be in-place by the time the proposed development is completed. I believe in planning for change rather than having to react to it.
Question: Follow up: what specific elements of infrastructure need to be improved upon in Warren County in preparation for the approval of additional developments?
Answer: I would insist that such plans be studied and made a part of the approval for new developments. We need adequate roads to be able to handle the traffic caused by new developments. I would also think that the school systems should be given an appropriate notice (even though they are independent of our local governments).
Question: What made you decide that Magistrate was the right office to pursue this time rather than City Commissioner?
Answer: The BG City Commission has been overtaken by out-of-town political interests pushing liberal agendas. I just don’t want to be involved with some of those currently serving on the commission. I would hope that city voters continue to support Sue Parrigin, Melinda Hill and our mayor Todd Alcott in order to maintain a conservative majority on the board.
Question: In one of your earlier answers you mentioned duplicity of public services across the county and city governments – do you have an example of one that should be corrected?
Answer: I don’t have a specific answer to that question other than I plan to look.
Question: Based on your experience in local elections, what specific actions do local Conservatives need to undertake in order to counter these outside liberal influences?
Answer: The liberals (Democratic Party of Warren County) has been much more aggressive in local elections than the WC GOP. Conservatives need to be more active by finding candidates to support, work for them and show it by putting up yard signs, calling friends, neighbors and families, let people KNOW how you feel and WHO needs to be elected. Too much is taken for granted and then people sit back and wonder how we let it happen.
Question: Do you feel there is overreach in our local government? if so give an example.
Answer: I’m not sure of any specific overreach by our local governments, but there IS a lot of “pandering” that goes on – especially by the liberal members of the BG City Commission and our KY State Rep in District 20.
Question: Do you consider yourself a fiscal conservative? If so, could you provide an example of how you demonstrated fiscal conservativism in previous roles?
Answer: During my time on the BG City Commission, we never increased taxes. As a matter of fact, we were able to develop a “rainy day fund” in order to prepare for major upcoming expenses rather than to sell more bonds to cover them Case in-point is the enhanced 9-1-1 system that cost several million dollars but was required to maintain operation. The city was able to pay its part from that fund and not take on any additional debt. The improved financial position also allowed for the refinancing of then current bonds at a lower interest rate and we were able to pay off a good portion of the city’s debt.
Question: have you developed any specific ideas regarding actions the Fiscal Court can undertake to reduce taxes?
Answer: I’d certainly like to promise to lower county taxes, but I never make a promise that I cannot absolutely keep. Many are calling for enhanced services from the county – particularly from the sheriff’s department. That will cost money. I want to run the county like a business and that means I need to take a look at what we’re spending now and see where there might be opportunities to save or redirect funding.
Question: What plans do you have for expenditure of Warren County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds?
Answer: Wherever possible, those funds should be directed toward infrastructure that is inadequate or outdated. Meaning things that are adequate for living here and getting around like bridges and roads, not additional recreation areas that only a very few can enjoy. To carry it further, I’m not against having those things for the enjoyment of those that want it, but those folks should be willing to fund it via donations raised from sponsors and ongoing usage fees.
Question: There was significant debate last month about how to create a garbage recycling service that is affordable, and that residents will use. What are your thoughts on the matter?
Answer: Regarding the garbage issue, we need to try to keep the cost as low as possible while trying to maintain equal service to what we now have. I’d like to see an option for recycling for those that want it, but I don’t want the cost forced upon our citizens. Recycling is the right thing to do, but We shouldn’t just be checking off a box that we have it. We don’t need any such services in our county no matter how cosmopolitan it makes us look. We have to run things like a business – And I don’t mean a fashion boutique.
Question: What is something the county is doing well that the Fiscal Court needs to continue/expand and where is an area for improvement for the County/Fiscal Court?
Answer: The county has been doing pretty well in economic development and I certainly hope to help that continue. I’d love to see them get better in communicating with the constituents – I promise that I will do that.