Mark C. Carpenter
County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Working in cooperation with the many qualified members of various county and state agencies, I am very proud of the many accomplishments and improvements that have occurred since taking office as your
Lower Taxes
Lowered
Helped lead the way to pass a tax freeze for Senior Citizens. Working with Commissioner R. C. McFall, this important measure passed the commissioner’s court ensuring that senior citizens who are on fixed incomes can freeze their taxes at a fixed rate.County Tax Rates. In the last four years, the ad valorem county tax rates have not been raised – even with the increased demand for county services. In fact, the tax rates have been reduced over 3% each year for the past two years. In 2006, the tax rate was lowered 3.42% to $0.369004 per $100 valuation and in 2007, the tax rate was lowered an additional 3.26% to $0.356962 per $100 valuation.
Improved Road Maintenance
- Negotiated the largest one-time payment for Road Damages – Carpenter negotiated the largest one-time payment from a gas company for road damages in precinct 3, collecting over $246,000 dedicated to road repairs in the precinct. And, as gas drilling and heavy truck traffic continues, Commissioner Carpenter remains committed to working with the gas companies for the appropriate restitution and payment for damages as they occur.
- Updated all Precinct 3 bridges – All single lane wooden bridges in precinct 3 have been replaced with wider, safer bridges since Commissioner Carpenter has been in office.
- Upgraded Equipment – Since Carpenter has been in office, outdated and inefficient equipment has been systematically upgraded and/or replaced with more energy efficient, reliable equipment in order to provide better service at a reasonable cost to citizens.
- Regional Transportation Plan – Commissioner Carpenter works on the Regional Transportation Plan developing plans for future road expansion to help reduce traffic congestion and plan for increased traffic in the future.
- A systematic road maintenance system was implemented which has helped to keep our county roads in good repair and help to offset the damages caused by heavy truck traffic of the gas industry drilling in Johnson County.
- Relocated Precinct 3 Maintenance Facility. A modern maintenance facility was built in the geographic center of the precinct which helps respond to citizen needs in a timely, efficient manner.
- Gas Lease on Precinct 3 property. A negotiated up-front payment for a gas lease effectively reimbursed the county for the cost of the land that the new Precinct 3 maintenance facility was built on. The net effect is that taxpayers didn’t bear any of the costs to purchase the land. And, royalty payments from the lease will continue into the future.
- Cooperation with Cities in Precinct – Through Interlocal Agreements, Commissioner Carpenter works with cities within precinct 3 to help with their road construction in an effort to help keep the city's cost down. Carpenter has also worked through interlocal agreements with local school districts to repair and pave parking lots. These efforts help the cities and school districts to keep their tax rates low. The net effect of these cooperative efforts help taxpayers by keeping the tax rates low among all the taxing entities.
Increased Law Enforcement Jail System Expansion – Commissioner Carpenter has helped with expansion of the jail system, relieving jail overcrowding. Guinn Justice Law Enforcement Support – Voted to approve sheriff’s department budget with increases in salary and personnel. Towers added to improve Law Enforcement and Fire Personnel Communication – During Commissioner Carpenter’s term, interlocal agreements were completed with local cities to erect two communication towers that improve the communication ability of law enforcement and fire personnel within the county. Juvenile
I appreciate your vote and support in the Republican primary on March 4.
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