A question for Lago Vista City Council.

I believe the best way to protect taxpayer dollars is to build systems that make it difficult for money to be misused, easier to identify problems early, and clear who is responsible when something goes wrong. And that work has already begun. One of my priorities has been modernizing the City's financial systems. I've worked with fellow Council members and staff on improving our chart of accounts, organizing historical financial information, and moving toward better budgeting and reporting tools. The plan timeline is a two year span. One year is behind us with the roadmap created. The council forum on the city website shows the conversations over time: https://councilforum.lagovistatexas.gov/threads/prposedbudgetcalendarandorganizationalrestructure.162/#post755 Why does that matter? Because when information is scattered across outdated systems, difficult to retrieve, or requires hours of manual work to understand, it becomes harder for Council, staff and residents to see what's actually happening with public money. **Good financial controls start with good information.** I want us to be able to follow a dollar from the budget, through a contract or purchase order, to the payment and the result. We should be able to see what was authorized, what was spent, whether the work was completed, and whether we're getting what we paid for. That means strengthening several areas. Purchasing and contracts: Competitive purchasing should be the standard where required and practical. When a contract qualifies for an exception, there should be a documented reason, appropriate approval and a clear record of the decision. We also need to monitor contract changes and cost overruns, not just the original award. Financial safeguards: No one person should control an entire financial transaction from beginning to end. Clear approval limits, separation of duties, regular reconciliations and independent audits help protect both taxpayers and honest employees. Preventing lawsuits: Not every lawsuit can be prevented, and being sued doesn't automatically mean the City did something wrong. But consistent procedures, good documentation, employee training, sound legal advice and addressing problems before they escalate can reduce unnecessary legal exposure. Accountability: When concerns are raised, there should be a clear process to review them, protect those who report legitimate problems and take corrective action when warranted. That connects to my support for examining an independent ethics review process. I also want better public financial reporting. Residents shouldn't need to be accountants or spend hours searching through Council packets to understand how their tax dollars are being used. Technology can help us identify unusual spending, track contracts, compare budgets with actual expenses and recognize problems sooner. But technology alone isn't the answer. We also need trained staff, clear policies and a Council willing to ask questions and follow through. And I think this is important: waste isn't always the result of dishonesty. Sometimes it's the result of outdated technology, unclear responsibilities, poor planning or decisions made without understanding their longterm consequences. Those dollars are just as important to protect. I don't believe we can promise that mistakes, misconduct or lawsuits will never happen. But we can put processes in place that reduce the risks and make sure problems don't go unnoticed or unaddressed. **People will change. Good information, sound processes, institutional knowledge and a credible longrange plan should remain.** That's why I've been working on financial modernization. I want Lago Vista to have systems that protect taxpayer dollars regardless of who is sitting in City Hall or on Council. For me, accountability isn't just about what happens after something goes wrong. It's about doing the work that helps prevent it in the first place.

Written by the candidate