Cy-Fair Edition | April 2022

CANDIDATE Q&A

Get to know the candidates running in the election

2 0 2 2 L O C A L V O T E R G U I D E

Incumbent

COMPILED BY MIKAH BOYD

Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 The three candidates with the highest number of votes will serve four-year terms as commissioner. Occupation: chief operating ocer of a large neurological physician group Relevant experience: business and nancial management; wife of rst responder; former volunteer reghter NARESSA MACKINNON Occupation: re service, district chief Relevant experience: 17 years of re service experience; current ESD No. 9 board member www.vote237.com WILLIAM DAVID MCDUGLE Occupation: certied public accountant Relevant experience: former auditor for Ernst & Young; worked in high-level accounting positions for Black & Decker, and W.R. Grace; currently engaged in investor protection for a federal nancial regula- tor; served in the U.S. Army prior to professional career KEVIN W. STERTZEL Occupation: low voltage construction supervisor Relevant experience: 10 years as volunteer reghter; two previous terms as ESD No. 9 commissioner; ESD No. 9 construction committee scott.deboer@hcesd9.org SCOTT DEBOER

Why are you running for this position? As a scally conservative resident of Cypress and wife of a rst responder, I have a deeply invested interest in equipping our ESD with the tools to protect our community without unnecessary tax increases. Given the current tax revenue and unencumbered reserves in the taxing unit’s accounts, a discussion regarding lowering our tax rate is in order. I am running for re-election to continue the forward advancements ESD 9 has made during my terms. We have lowered the tax rate, increased homestead exemptions [and] increased capital assets ... to meet the in- creasing needs of the community while stay- ing within budget. Morale in the department is high, which translates to better service. I am running for re-election to continue the forward growth, mission and vision ESD 9 has made during my rst term. We kept a lower tax rate [and] continued the homestead exemption of 5%, $160,000 for [residents] over [age] 65 and $160,000 for disabled [residents]. We continued to grow capital assets and personnel needs. I have a deep passion for our reghters and rst responders, so this feels like a natural t. In the Navy, all sailors are trained to be reghters. This is also the district that directly impacts my community. We must continue ensuring that our communities are well looked after and responsibly. Emergen- cy services are very critical to that mission. As a civil servant, I work to protect the pub- lic’s nancial investments. I have a skill set ... to ensure taxpayer funds are managed properly. I’m a scal conservative and want to ensure our community resources receive careful oversight, while judiciously ensuring our rst responders have what they need to perform their critical roles.

[I would make] sure we are attracting and keeping the best talent in a highly competi- tive market for re and EMS personnel [and make] sure we are providing the best and most economical service. My goal is to keep property taxes aordable. We have [pro- vided] both re and EMS services for under $0.06 where other ESDs are at $0.10. Some of the challenges facing the district is rapid growth, community needs and [the] personnel market. We as a board need to stay competitive in attracting the best re and EMS personnel. With these challenges we need to make sure we are serving the needs of the community and striving to be good stewards of the community’s tax dollars. If elected, I’ll work alongside my colleagues to create a robust mental health program that focuses on active coping skills for recov- ering from the traumatic experiences our rst responders encounter, as well as stress management training to reduce the risks of burnout, mental illnesses and PTSD. How would you address chal- lenges facing the district? All challenges require astute and responsi- ble addressing. I am exploring the current state of the district now and don’t feel I have enough information at this time to say I am completely apprised to current challenges beyond what has been provided publicly to date. It appears from a nancial standpoint, the ESD is capitalized to face any near-term challenges. Through robust engagement, I anticipate being informed of challenges and will address them as they arise. My goal is to develop long-term strategic plans to ensure the ESD meets the community’s needs and elevate the level of scal transparency.

Occupation: executive Relevant experience: 35-plus years combination of military, corporate and consulting ROBERT O. PAIVA

Community Impact Newspaper was unable to reach this candidate by press time.

Community Impact Newspaper was unable to reach this candidate by press time. JOHN PEART

I want to continue the positive momentum our current board has created and continue to implement our long-term strategy. [Over the last four years,] we’ve recruited over 100 full-time emergency service personnel, added or rebuilt ve stations, and begun construction of two new stations while low- ering taxes and without [taking] on debt.

Property taxes continue to skyrocket. We must continue to be good stewards of taxpayer funds by pushing to lower taxes and increase homestead exemptions. To retain and attract a world class team, [the Cy-Fair Fire Department] must continue to provide competitive wages, modern facilities, rst class equipment and in-house training.

Occupation: senior vice president of sales and marketing Relevant experience: current ESD commissioner www.vote237.com TOMMY BALEZ

Answers may have been edited for length, style and clarity. Read full Q&A’s at communityimpact.com .

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