Consistent. Principled. Action.

One of my favorite holidays, the 4th of July, is right around the corner. I love the 4th because the central idea that we celebrate is FREEDOM. I spent 25 years of my life defending that freedom while in uniform, and I am committed to defending your individual freedoms while in office.

Thomas Jefferson once said, "The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield." Jefferson saw government and liberty in natural tension.

The liberty that often yields is your freedom over your earnings as government controls more of your hard-earned dollars through higher taxes, and as government holds ever more sway over the way you live your life, often justified for the "common good."

As we approach the 4th of July, I rededicate myself to guarding your freedom, your liberty, as we move through the budget process.

Have a wonderful celebration on the 4th of July!

Remember our young Americans who stand guard around the world in harm's way.

As the words of our Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence remind us, we are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights," - our rights come from God, not the government.

On a side note, I was elected to the Executive Board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, an organization of regional local governments, an organization that distributes a large amount of government funds to its members and administers many of the transportation and air quality issues. I will also work to protect your interests at the regional level, and will report to you as I get settled into that position.

Sincerely, and gratefully,

Keith

Transportation funding is one of the most important needs of Collin County. Our rapid growth requires that we continue to build the transportation infrastructure as quickly as possible. The North Central Texas Council of Governments calculates that by the year 2030, freeway (US 75) miles that we drive will grow by 63% and minor thoroughfare miles will grow by 23%, but major thoroughfare miles that we drive will increase by a whopping 247%. That means that the major highways will experience the most traffic growth. As I grow familiar with the current transportation bond process, I have some observations on the historic process, not to criticize, but to offer observations and ideas for a rapid growth future.

a. The same taxpayer pays both the city taxes and the county taxes that fund transportation projects. This is true whether we look at large cities or small cities. You, the taxpayer, ultimately pay both the county and the city contributions to transportation projects.

b. The county budget per capita is not large. The county spends about $213 per person, while the major cities spend from $650 to $893 per person. If the county matches a city's contribution dollar for dollar, the county match is a larger percentage contribution.

c. Our cities compete against each other for "county match funds" for city projects - the very dollars that the county collects from city taxpayers. Not only are the cities competing for the dollars collected from their taxpayers, but the competition causes some (I believe unnecessary) heartache.

d. Most of the projects historically on the transportation bond project list are not the major thoroughfares across Collin County - those major highways that form the backbone of the county road network, yet experience the most delays.

These observations lead me to some questions:

a. Why does the county need to collect these transportation taxes from city taxpayers, then turn around and distribute the tax funds to the cities? Should the cities collect these transportation taxes directly without competing for a "fair share" from the county? Why does the county act as the middleman on these taxes that come from the same taxpayers who pay both county and city taxes?

b. Should the county designate the county transportation backbone - the major thoroughfares - and assume financial responsibility for the backbone?

c. Should the county collect transportation taxes only to build and maintain the county transportation backbone - the primary thoroughfares across Collin County? Would this simplify transportation taxation for the citizens who fund these projects?

d. Would separating county and city transportation projects allow the cities to have more control over the city transportation projects that they decide to build?

This morning in Commissioners Court, I presented a briefing with these ideas that you can find in the court packet at http://public1.co.collin.tx.us/public_notices/Lists/Public%20Meetings/DispForm.aspx?ID=249&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic1%2Eco%2Ecollin%2Etx%2Eus%2Fpublic%5Fnotices%2Fdefault%2Easpx
Do not try to open the packet unless you have broadband, and be patient even with broadband. The briefing is item number 5 on page 802 of the packet.

I will be out of town for a few days, so I will be unable to respond to any correspondence that you send me, but I plan to respond when I return.

Sincerely,
Keith Self

1. As you know, I believe that we need to get transportation infrastructure built faster. Now five months into office, I believe that we need to consider all options going forward. One of my major talking points has been that the county needs to focus on our core county functions. I am increasingly convinced that that may include focused attention of our county transportation dollars on the major thoroughfares through the county. As I review the thoroughfare planning map, focused county attention and funding on approximately 300 miles of the major roads would touch some 14 cities across the county - the vast majority of citizens. Focusing on the most important thoroughfares should also increase our priority for Regional Transportation Council contributions to our projects. I will present a briefing to the Commissioners Court session on June 12 outlining my thoughts if you would like to join us. I do not plan to ask the court for action, just present the briefing. The bottom line remains that our rapid growth is overwhelming our transportation system and we need to find several BILLION dollars to provide adequate transportation infrastructure for you.

2. I noticed on the Lake Lavon web site this morning that the lake is almost three and one half feet above what is considered "full" and that the Corps of Engineers is releasing water out of the lake. http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lavon/
It's good to have a full water supply again. Lake Chapman/Cooper Dam, which also figures into water district determinations of drought conditions, remains several feet "down", but is also rising.

3. As soon as possible, I will be reporting on some of the legislative bills that will have the most impact on us from a county perspective. I can report now that I am confident that SH 121 will be built on schedule. There are many issues remaining on who will ultimately be awarded the contract and other details, but I am confident that we are working together toward solutions. I have been very encouraged by recent meetings that I believe are bearing fruit in terms of providing best value to you.

I appreciate your support and encouragement as we tackle county issues together. Every day I value my interactions with you. The last breakfast with citizens was particularly energetic and dynamic. I am finding that many respond positively to the idea of freedom and responsibility for the individual, with government focused on core functions.

Sincerely,

Keith