Job one for any mayor is public safety. We hired an outstanding Police Chief my first year as Mayor. His efforts and those of our officers have led to a steep drop in our crime rates last year.

We recently dedicated our Anti-gang Unit headquarters, which co-ordinates our police with the Sheriff’s Department and state DPS and federal agencies in their fight against gang and drug related activity--the biggest drivers of our local crime.

But we still have work to do, and that will require adding additional patrol officers to our force over the next several years to make our neighborhoods and our streets safer.

I’m committed to making sure our police and fire rescue are well-paid, well-trained, and well-equipped to ensure your safety.

Lubbock’s low tax rate leaves more money in your pocket. Low rates make homes more affordable and businesses more profitable.

Low taxes help attract businesses and newcomers to Lubbock. The new property taxes they pay relieve the pressure to raise the tax rate, while helping us continue to pay for the services we provide our citizens.

No mayor in recent history has a better record of voting to keep your taxes as low as possible. I will continue to work hard to make sure the city provides the essential services you expect while still keeping your taxes low.

Lubbock’s growth is not going to stop, so planning for that growth must be a priority.

Water is vital to our future. I signed the contract last year to acquire the land for our future Lake 7. I am working to fast-track the permit process so the lake will become reality by 2032. I have focused on bringing low-water consumption businesses to Lubbock and on increasing the future capacity of one of our main water sources—our pipeline from underground and surface water sources to our North.

Many businesses have recently made the move to Lubbock because it is business-friendly. And many more are taking a close look at us. The solid support of voters for me as mayor has made me an effective promoter of Lubbock to help attract new, good-paying jobs to Lubbock.

Re-development of downtown will continue to be a focus for me. Work is progressing on our downtown community park. New businesses are springing up all over downtown, and construction work on Broadway will start soon. And, I am committed to bringing a plan to voters this year to expand the Civic Center so it can bring more and larger conventions and tradeshows to town, all to be paid by visitors to Lubbock and not by you.

Streets, sewers and water lines are basic and essential services our citizens depend on. I have supported yearly increases in our street maintenance budget to make sure our roadways are in better condition.

Because Texas Tech is one of the main reasons Lubbock has grown and will continue to grow, I am committed to building a better, mutually beneficial working relationship between the city and Tech.