Williams says transparency, better planning needed on board

Liz Mitchell / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: October 18, 2007

Kim Williams says the current Board of Supervisors has been slow to act, lacks transparency and needs to make better plans for the future.

He is running as the Democratic candidate - against incumbent John Coates and GOP candidate Tom Underwood - more in an attempt to get the issues out for purposes of public discussion than a concerted effort to win the Salem seat.

Williams, 55, served on the Board of Supervisors from 1987 to 1991 and has lived in Culpeper for 32 years, which time he has spent as an educator.

When he saw two supervisors are running unopposed, Williams said that's what prompted him to campaign.

"If I win, great," he said. "However, we have issues in this county that no one is talking about."

Williams said the county has dragged its feet on several issues. In an interview with the Star-Exponent recently, he weighed in on where he stands.

* On a water and sewer authority with the town: "If I have an opportunity, I am going to hammer this one home," he said. "Eight years ago, that was an issue. …It's something that really distresses me because the longer they put it off, the more it's going to cost.

"I don't know for sure, I have to look at all the figures but I don't know if it's a real good move if the county enters into its own authority and the town keeps its own because you are spending money that you don't necessarily have to. It comes down to an issue of control."

* On government transparency: Williams sees transparency as a big issue, particularly because of the county's loss in a lawsuit regarding an improper closed session as it related to a school contract.

"A lot of things are taken into executive session; I've been there before," he said. A lot of things are taken in for good reason: personnel, real estate."

If there was a close call to make regarding closed session, Williams said he would lean toward the side of keeping it in open session because a transparent government "is where it's at."

Williams said he is amazed the public does not know the price tag of the proposed jail. He's also displeased with the county's efforts to provide more office space around town. Specifically, the Wachovia Bank building on Main Street was not in the budget, he said, but happened "all of a sudden."

He sees the downtown purchase as a short-term fix and says the bottom line is that better future plans need to be made.
"They should be making plans in actually locating the county complex somewhere where you have access - accessibility for handicapped," he said.

* On government consolidation: "The next board will have to talk about it. They got to come up with a plan to put out to voters," he said. "I think the cons outweigh the pros but I don't know what the bottom cost is going to be. The bottom line is what is it going to cost- How is it going to benefit both town and county to have this consolidation-

"The county will have to take roads and streets into its network. The town is getting some services the county isn't. The town has its tax. What's going to happen- There are a lot of 'what ifs-'"

Williams said it is going to be a painful process for bodies that have historically not gotten along - not when he first came to the community or while he was on the board.

"There will always be territorial strife," he said, "that I don't know if there will ever be a solution without consolidation."

* On taxes: With two new schools, a jail and a $17 million increase in the school system's budget request, Culpeper has many needs in its future and Williams says something has to give.

Though he is chair of the Culpeper County High School Fine Arts Department, he says there is no conflict in voting on budget appropriations for the school system, as long as he makes his interest known.

"In a small community, most people would have some kind of interest, whether it be a spouse, relative, etc.," he said. "As far as taxes, that's tough."

Williams said the county has missed the ball on getting a meals tax passed, which he strongly supports because it is a user fee.

He says the county has also relied too much on real estate taxes. He believes the county needs to adjust tax relief to the elderly on an annual basis, or people on a fixed income will be forced to leave. He also believes the county should consider establishing a business tax or replacing the inventory tax with a business tax.

In finding other solutions to higher taxes, Williams agrees with West Fairfax candidate Richard Vento that the county could get a one-time windfall in revenue by collecting real estate and personal property taxes twice a year (in installment payments).

"You get 50 percent of taxes upfront one year," he said. "So if you have a major project going on - like a jail - there is some funding for you."

Williams said he would not necessarily be in favor of raising taxes, but the county will have to provide needs. He's not sure what the bottom line is because, he says, revenue figures are "always kind of fuzzy."

"The tax rate doesn't necessarily have to go up as high as long as your revenues keep increasing," Williams said.

"Right now state and county governments are complaining they have less revenue. Well, no, they don't have less revenue. They aren't going to get as much as they expected. There is a big difference. If you are counting on those revenues and that is what you are budgeting on, then you have a deficit."

* On transportation: Williams said the board is doing a good job by revenue sharing. He worries, though, that the needed interchange at U.S. 29 and Route 666 cannot come fast enough and thinks student safety is in danger without it.

* Why voters should elect him: Williams says he is a people person and knows how to compromise. He says the board does not have the reputation of admitting to its mistakes, and he will step up and say if he makes one.

He believes the board needs change, but doesn't think it should come from someone new to the community (Underwood) who will require a high learning curve.

"We have to change our approach to many, many things and the way we do business," Williams said. "The board should run the show. They need to be stronger in making decisions and not allowing others to manipulate them. I say what I think. I will do what I think is best and will sleep well at night."

Liz Mitchell can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .