Valley Morning Star 2007 Candidate Questionnaire: Chris Boswell

Harlingen Mayor and Harlingen City Commissioner

Candidate’s name: Chris Boswell

Position sought: Mayor

Age: 48

How long have you lived in Harlingen? Continuously since 1983

Occupation: Partner in Stapleton, Curtis & Boswell, L.L.P, Attorneys at Law

Education:

San Benito High School 1976

University of Texas at Austin—Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance 1980

Southern Methodist University School of Law—Juris Doctor 1983

Experience in government:

Elected to the Harlingen City Commission Place 4 in 1998, 2001, and 2004

Mayor Pro-Tem: 1998-1999; 2005-2006

Social/community service:

Northern Cameron County United Way Captain 1984, 1995, 1996; Northern Cameron County United Way Budget and Admissions Committee 1985-1988 and Chairman 1989-1991; Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman 1990-1992; Harlingen Industrial Foundation, Inc. Director 1992-1995 and Chairman 1995-1997; Valley Zoological Society Board (Gladys Porter Zoo) 1991-1999; Cameron County Bar Association Director 1989-1992; 1998-2002 and President 2001; Cubmaster, Pack 29 Treasure Hills Elementary 1983-1988 and Pack 206, St. Alban’s Day School 2000-2005; Rio Grande Council Board of the Boy Scouts of America 1984-Present and President 1989-1992; President of Area 2 of the Boy Scouts of America comprising 11 Councils in Texas and Louisiana 2001-2003 and member of the National Scoutreach Committee

1. What is the most important issue facing the city of Harlingen and how would you deal with it?

This is a great City, yet Harlingen needs a renewed sense of optimism and confidence about it’s future. That’s why I have proposed that the community unite in a series of workshops and forums designed to educate the public about Harlingen’s strengths and to adopt and embrace a plan for the future which builds on those strengths. We have done strategic planning but we need to bring the full community on board to provide input and support a final plan. Planning and leadership are the keys to an optimistic future and I hope to give leadership to that plan.

2. If elected, what is the most significant action you would take to improve the quality of life for Harlingen residents?

We have a real opportunity to develop an array quality of life projects if the public supports the creation of a 4-B corporation and votes in favor of it. That funding could be used to enhance downtown as a true destination, to improve the overall appearance of the City, to complete our World Birding Center project and to put the icing on the cake of our parks and sports complexes.

3. Economic development

A. Should the city of Harlingen provide incentives to attract businesses? If so, what should those incentives be?

It is an unfortunate reality that cities compete against one another for job creation by offering financial incentives for companies which will create jobs in the community. Fortunately, Harlingen’s visionary leaders of the past created one of the first 4A Corporations in the state which gives us the resources to compete. We have more than adequate reserves and the sharing of 25% of those revenues with a 4B Corporation will also allow us to also do quality of life projects without hampering job creation. Incentives to companies desiring to locate in Harlingen should be determined on a case by case basis depending on the number of jobs to be created, whether the jobs are low or high paying jobs, whether benefits are offered and what kind, how much capital investment the company is going to make in the community and whether the company will benefit or complement other businesses or assets such as the airport or bridge.

B. Economic Development Corporation ballot proposition

Harlingen is authorized to use a portion of sales tax revenues to attract businesses and create job opportunities under Section 4A of the Development Corporation Act. Revenues can be used for some commercial business development, industrial and manufacturing facilities, recycling facilities, distribution centers, warehouses and related uses. However, another section of the law, Section 4B, would allow the city to use sales taxes for projects that contribute to quality of life, including park and sports facilities, tourism and entertainment facilities and affordable housing to promote new or expanded business enterprises. Should Harlingen voters approve more diverse use of sales tax revenue by adopting the 4B designation for economic development? Why or why not?

Yes. The creation of a 4B Corporation will expand the use of our sales tax revenue so that we can do quality of life projects that can benefit all of our citizens now. At the same time, because only 25% of the sales tax revenues will be available to the 4B Corporation, there will be ample revenues remaining in the 4A Corporation which can only be used for traditional job creation projects. It’s the best of both worlds. I am proud to say that I gave leadership to organizing and leading a series of workshops which educated our community leadership on this issue and led toward a consensus of placing this issue on the ballot.

C. What has prevented more major retail stores and restaurants from locating in Harlingen and what should be done to change this?

National retailers and restaurants make business decisions to locate based on where they believe they will make the most profit. It stands to reason that they will locate first in areas with larger populations. At an estimated population today of 67,000, Harlingen’s population has grown almost 13% since the last census. That’s good news. But, there are two other Cities in the Valley which are at least twice our size and are likely to get a store or restaurant first. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t getting there. For example, three years ago Harlingen had no Starbucks. Now we have three and a fourth location on the way. My concern over this issue, however, led me to go to North Texas 18 months ago with other community leaders to learn more about how Tax Increment Financing Districts worked. We have now established three Districts in Harlingen. They are designed to allow Developers to be reimbursed some of their property tax to be used for the cost of developing a project. I am happy to say that our first TIF agreement should lead to a development west of the mall which will include new national retail stores and restaurants.

4. Collective bargaining ballot proposition

Should Harlingen voters approve the adoption of the state law applicable to firefighters and police officers that allows for the establishment of collective bargaining? Why or why not?

No. I absolutely support the commitment to pay our police and firefighters a competitive wage, but collective bargaining is not the way to do it. Recently, we have seen how the McAllen Police Union, despite being the highest paid police officers in the Valley, are still not satisfied and seem to be in constant litigation with the City of McAllen over their contract. In Pharr, where voters approved collective bargaining last year, the Mayor and other Commissioners are calling for its repeal. And recently in Beaumont, an arbitrator (one person who is not even a Judge) ordered the City to increase Firefighters wages a whopping 27% over 3 years. Collective Bargaining impairs the City Commission’s ability to balance the City’s financial priorities and it squeezes the non-fire and police employees whose voice will not be as strong. I don’t think that’s fair. Our record as a City is good. For example, we’ve gone from spending $4,875,223 on police operations in 1998 to an approved budget of $8,450,113 in 2007 with only an 8% increase in the workforce. I think that demonstrates our commitment to be fair to those who have devoted themselves to our public safety.

5. Utility rates

What, if anything, should be done to reduce the impact on Harlingen residents of increased water and sewer rates?

Many residents including my family experienced an unexpected increase last year in their sewer bill. This increase was caused not so much by the rate increase but by the base usage calculation upon which the rate is applied. Waterworks takes the normally 3 lowest months usage of water and uses their average to calculate our monthly sewage usage against which to multiply the rate. Last year we experienced an unusually dry period and our water usage was double what it usually is thus resulting in almost a doubling of the base calculation against which the rate is multiplied. I believe and have recommended to the Waterworks manager that they should use a base calculation that is the 3 lowest months average over at least 3 years so that we don’t have a spike like we had because of the weather last year. I have also urged a cap on sewage bills because after all, a family of 5 can only produce so much sewerage.

6. Impact fees

Many cities require developers to pay fees to offset the public costs of servicing their developments and the impact of the developments on the community. These fees often are used for water and sewer line extensions, other utilities, streets, streetlights, etc. Some cities have a formula that takes into account the impact on police and fire services, schools and the overall quality of life in the neighborhood. Developers often pass on the fees to purchasers, which can increase the price of a home and, some say, decrease the profitability of a project.

Harlingen has impact fees for water and sewer. Should Harlingen expand the use of impact fees? Why or why not?

Impact fees can be a fair way to collect a one-time fee from new development to pay for new facilities required by growth. Impact fees are a financial tool used to reduce the gap between the money required to build new streets or expand water and sewer lines to serve new residents and the money available for that purpose. If new residents don’t pay for those costs, then the additional costs must be paid by existing users which would increase their utility bills. Impact fees should only be used as allowed by state law and local ordinance. And, we must be careful to account for their use properly.

7. Eminent domain

Harlingen voters last year rejected a City Charter amendment that included expanded use of eminent domain. Under the City Charter, the city can invoke the right of eminent domain for limited public purposes. The proposal would have allowed the city to invoke eminent domain for any public purpose allowable under law. What limits should the city have on its use of eminent domain?

Cities should be very cautious and conservative in using eminent domain powers. Traditionally, eminent domain, has been centered on transportation and public safety projects like roads, airports and utilities. That’s where it should be confined. I don’t support the notion of tearing someone’s home down just for the sake of an economic development project.

8. Some say that Harlingen is caught in the grip of political factions. Do you agree?

No. But I do believe that the City is changing and evolving and that the leadership of the community should be mindful of and should reflect that change. There is a growing segment of our community comprised of relative newcomers who have come to work in our medical, Homeland Security, and educational sectors. I believe we’re also seeing more and more native sons and daughters returning to Harlingen after college or other work experience and starting their professions or businesses here. That’s a great and positive thing because it means our community is growing and we’re offering opportunity. It is not stagnant. This growing segment of the population is demanding more of their community in the way of quality of life. I hope to see more of these folks participate in our community at all levels.

9. What do you consider your most significant accomplishment?

I hope that my life will never be about just one thing or one accomplishment. Certainly at the top of my list of accomplishments is the strength of my family. I am proudest not just of educational and professional achievements but of a strong record of continuous commitment to the betterment of this community through service to Scouting, church, economic development efforts and in City Government.

10. What person in history do you most admire and why?

Harry Truman is my hero. He came from humble beginnings in a small town. He was underestimated throughout his career. Yet he rose not merely to become President, but he lead the defense of Western Europe from the spread of communism after World War II by such courageous acts of strength like the Berlin Airlift and through the implementation of the Marshall Plan. Truman was a driving force to feed and rebuild Europe after the war, but he knew that to sell the Plan to Congress, he’d have to give credit for the plan to George Marshall in order to get it through. That was an example of true servant leadership. Truman would be remembered saying it was remarkable how much could be accomplished if you didn’t care who received the credit.

11. What is the last book you read?

Team of Rivals — The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.