Name: Clayton Brashear
Age: 58
Position seeking: Mayor
Occupation: Developer/Hotelier/Restaurant/Bar Owner
Years in Community: 40
Question 1: How would you describe the city’s current financial status, including the property tax rate, assessment levels and overall development and direction of the city?
The City is financially sound. However, the issue is how the elected officials have been spending the tax dollars. The South Padre Island tax rate was raised twice in the past 24 month by the previous City Council. The overall development has been stagnant since the 2009 Recession. Property owners have been unable to sell their properties and mortgages for second homes are difficult to obtain. The overall direction of the city must change in order to attract additional tourists in the slow winter season.
Question 2: What are the city’s short-term and long-term infrastructure needs and how should city officials address these matters, specifically financially?
Many of the homeowners living on South Padre side streets have drainage issues which must be addressed street by street. Laguna Blvd. is in need of repair and needs improved landscaping. Padre Boulevard’s “sidewalk landscape debacle” must be redesigned to create a true boulevard resort corridor. The Padre Blvd. median beatification plan must be continued to enhance safety and help create the resort beautification which most discerning tourists expect. Beach re-nourishment, bay access, parking, a dog park, museums and more family activities are all part of the infrastructure improvement needed on South Padre Island. The enhanced infrastructure improvements will be paid for by a combination of venue tax, sales tax and property tax.
Question 3: What are your proposals to help increase tourism to South Padre Island?
Tourists want to visit our beautiful beach, fish in our bay, dine in our restaurants, shop in our retail stores and enjoy the many family fun water sport activities we offer. The marketing must stay current using the latest social media and the CVB must constantly stay ahead of trends both in marketing and tourist choice of how to consume information. The marketing approach must be separated for each individual tourist demographic. The island has local tourist located within a 90 mile radius, the Texas tourist, and the US/ Mexican/Canada tourist. Our advertising must be individualized to target our different demographics visiting our area. Winter Texans have very different wants than a local tourist and each must be reached by the marketing platform they prefer. Our new South Padre Island phrase should be “The Best Beach in Texas.”
Question 4: Other than what has already been mentioned, what other issue faces the city of South Padre Island now and into the near future?
Beach re-nourishment is an ongoing issue and a long term solution will continue to be an important goal for the City of South Padre Island. The most valuable resource is the ocean and as residents we are the stewards of the Island and will continue to protect our beaches and bays. We must be prepared for a natural disaster with proper cash reserves. Our residents and tourists enjoy the beach and everyone loves a beautiful Island.
Question 5: Why should voters choose you in this election?
I am the only longtime resident seeking the office with knowledge and experience in construction, finance and the hospitality business.
We live in an amazing island and I have the experience, the vision and the business skills required to help lead South Padre Island into financial prosperity. As we walked the streets and spoke to hundreds of Island locals, I learned the issues most important to Island residents are infrastructure, beautification and improving the residents’ quality of life. I understand how civic organizations work. I have served on several SPI Comprehensive Plans, Planning & Zoning Commission, Variance Review Board and SPI Beach & Dune Task Force. I have worked closely with Cameron County, the US Army Corps and the Texas GLO. My hard work and commitment to making the Island a great place to live, work and play is the reason I ask voters to elect me Mayor of South Padre.
Name: Patrick McNulty
Age: 44
Occupation: Construction
Years in Community: Resident 14 years
Question 1: How would you describe the city’s current financial status, including the property tax rate, assessment levels and overall development and direction of the city?
South Padre is in a good financial position. South Padre has consistently been operating at or under budget for years. At 2.01326/$100 our tax rate is the 2nd lowest for a city in Cameron County. We have a six-month reserve that is maintained in case of an emergency. This is very important due to the risks that a hurricane can bring. With the creation of a form-based code hybrid zoning ordinance Padre Blvd development has taken pace at several locations in the past few years. Residential building permits appear to be up. South Padre Island has been moving forward with infrastructure projects, but they need to be completed on time and correct the first time.
Question 2: What are the city’s short-term and long-term infrastructure needs and how should city officials address these matters, specifically financially?
Our biggest infrastructure need at this time for the long term is the repaving of Laguna Blvd. This can be funded through a bond issue upon the completion of the payment on the Gulf Blvd bond. This needs to be implemented within the next three years. We need to plan accordingly for this project and get it right the first time. Unlike Gulf Blvd and the Padre Blvd sidewalk project that has taken almost two years to complete and remain unfinished.
For the short term, we should be starting the second phase of the median project soon, which will be exciting. However, we need to work with the contractor to make sure that the project is completed on time. I’m aware that this will be an inconvenience to all of our residents and guest, so the key to success is great planning and foresight.
Question 3: What are your proposals to help increase tourism to South Padre Island?
Youth Sport Tourism, this is a market that has been largely untapped for South Padre. These events mainly happen in the “off-season” where an increase is so desperately needed. We have had basketball tournaments in the past, so we have the capability to accommodate this without spending large amounts of money on creating infrastructure.
For inside events we can host basketball, volleyball, chess, karate, tae kwon do, cheerleading, dance, etc. For outside events we can utilize our relationships with Port Isabel and or Brownsville with their soccer, softball & baseball events.
If we get 300 individual contestants down for each event, this would create a surplus of revenue for South Padre when you include the parents and family members that travel alongside them. This also creates the opportunity to sell our island, so they come back when they are on vacation.
Question 4: Other than what has already been mentioned, what other issue faces the city of South Padre Island now and into the near future?
We need to be aware of our environment, protecting our beaches and the Laguna Madre, which is our life blood, without either we would not exist. Following best practices to maintain our beach is vital; we need to keep a watchful eye on our areas that erode and the beach re-nourishment that is needed. Port Isabel, Laguna Vista and South Padre should have been working together regarding LNG to protect our mutual asset, the Laguna Madre. We need to start working together full force to get the best possible outcome.
Question 5: Why should voters choose you in this election?
Voters should elect me for their Mayor as I have a proven history of leadership within the city, as well as a full understanding of the judicial process. In addition to this, I also have mutual respect with the city employees and the council.
The Charter was created to empower the City Manager to be the CEO. Finding the right City Manager is critical to the success of our island. The city council is there to provide direction and support. I believe my experience makes me the best person to run the city effectively and efficiently.
Name: Darla Jones
Age: 50
Position seeking: Mayor
Occupation: Retired
Years in Community: 9 years
Community Involvement: Assistant City Manager for nine years, Community Involvement on many fronts, including Federal, State, County and Local Levels
Family: Local. Family in RGV for 100 + years
How would you describe the city’s current financial status, including the property tax rate, assessment levels and overall development and direction of the city?
The City is in a very sound financial position. Unlike other cities, our Home Rule Charter requires a 6 month excess reserve which will enable the City to continue operating if a catastrophic event hits, such as a mayor hurricane. We can continue to bring basic services while in recovery mode. This was a brilliant move by the authors of our Home Rule Charter. We are ground zero if, God forbid, we get hit by a big one. On our property tax rate, we are one of the lowest in the RGV, not to mention the State. The problem is, our property values are so high, which makes the tax burden, for some, unbearable. The Cameron Appraisal District is responsible for determine our property values. Every property owner has right to protest their property values each year and if you feel you’re not being treated fairly, please protest. It is your right. On the overall development and direction of the City, I would like to say that much progress has been made in the last 9 years. We have an updated Comprehensive Plan ready for adoption that includes a Master Thoroughfare Plan, a Master Drainage Plan, A Shoreline Plan, a Future Land Use Plan, a Street Maintenance Plan and many other plans that we need to adopt and follow through with. It’s time to stop adopting plans and put them on the shelf. We’ve hired experts to draft these plans with recommendation and we need to follow through with the recommendations.
What are the city’s short-term and long-term infrastructure needs and how should city officials address these matters, specifically financially?
Short-Term: The first infrastructure project we need to address is Laguna Blvd. Much emphasis has been placed on Gulf Blvd and Padre Blvd and Laguna has been neglected. Tax notes were issued to find the Gulf Blvd improvements and that debt will be paid off in 2022. It is time NOW to dedicate the funding necessary to fund the engineering costs associated with Laguna and get it “shovel ready” to go to construction when the tax notes are retired. There may be funds left from the Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT for the Padre Sidewalks Program and those funds need to be dedicated to Laguna engineering. If needed, due to the re-direction of Padre Blvd Sidewalks funding, excess reserve funds should be used. We need to get it ready for construction NOW.
Long Term: We need to direct infrastructure funding to those components of the Comprehensive Plan that have been identified. These improvements have been identified and prioritized. Side street improvements, drainage, sidewalks and parks and open spaces have been identified. If we stick to the adopted plans, the City will fix the identified problems and improve the quality of life for all residents and businesses.
What are your proposals to help increase tourism to South Padre Island?
I would like to see South Padre Island market ourselves to the “responsible” tourism activities. We are surrounded by water. We need to marker our abundance of wildlife and habitat and our unsurpassed fishing opportunities. We have the best fishing anywhere. Surf fishing, bay fishing, off-shore fishing-we have it all. In addition, we have been named one of the top Kite-Boarding Destinations in the world! Dolphin watching, scuba diving, and eco-tourism activities. These are family-friendly responsible activities! Why are we not advertising and marketing to this market?
Other than what has already been mentioned, what other issue faces the city of South Padre Island now and into the near future?
I think one of our biggest gaps in quality of life is our lack of health care for SPI. If you are a resident here or are visiting, if you require medical care, it’s a trip off of the Island that could take up an entire day. If ambulance transport is required, it’s almost a hour trip to either Harlingen or Brownsville and that resource is no longer available. A feasibility study was recently conducted by the SPI Economic Development Corporation and we need to completely assess the results and determine if the facility is indeed feasible. Preliminary indications are very favorable. Many long-term residents have left the Island due to the inaccessibility of quality health care. This is a basic need that needs to be addressed NOW.
Why should voters choose you in this election?
I have an undergraduate degree in Public Administration and 28 + years’ experience in municipal government. In those years, I have developed positive working relationships with our partners at the Federal, State, County and local levels of government. I have demonstrated that I know how to get things done successfully. I am by far the best qualified candidate for Mayor of South Padre Island and humbly ask for your vote.
